Shepherds ready to welcome the return of their flocks, but only 10 at a time

Churches will soon be permitted to reopen their doors as part of stage one of Tasmania’s COVID-19 recovery roadmap, but the congregation will strictly limited.

MONDAY will herald the return of small religious gatherings of up to 10 parishioners, about two months after Tasmanian churches were forced to close their doors.

But the traditional “sign of peace” Christian handshake and sharing of chalice wine will remain strictly forbidden as the state makes its way through the roadmap to COVID-19 recovery.

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Catholic Archbishop Julian Porteous said from May 18, parishes across the state could offer liturgical mass and sacraments but encouraged worshippers to avoid church if they had “the slightest sense of being unwell”.

Stage one of the roadmap permits small congregations, provided devotees remain 1.5 metres apart with four square metres per person.

Church-goers will also be required to fill out their names and personal details at each service, as required by the State Government in case contact tracing is required.

Archbishop Julian Porteous is pleased churches are set to reopen from Monday for 10 parishioners at a time. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

Archbishop Porteous said each parish would meet this requirement with a booking system to regulate numbers attending mass and to ensure “fairness and transparency”.

He also said live-streamed services from St Mary’s Cathedral, which began on March 22, would continue.

The YouTube liturgies have proved enormously popular, with viewers across the world tuning into Archbishop Porteous’s sermons and Sunday masses – including 80,000 who watched the Good Friday service.

Stage two, beginning on June 15 and subject to public health advice, will allow 20 parishioners to attend services.

From July 13, stage three of the roadmap is expected to allow between 50 to 100 people to attend gatherings, including religious services.