Covid-19 (Coronavirus) Safety

Our Risk Mitigation Approach

The Coronavirus pandemic is a serious threat to public health across the globe and at the Ascension we are doing everything we can to minimise the risk of transmission. This includes following Government and Church of England guidelines, conducting regular risk assessments, providing hand sanitiser, frequently sanitising the church, cleaning and quarantining laminated mass cards and adapting the layout to safely accommodate worshipers as and where necessary.

If you are experiencing coronavirus symptoms (fever, new persistent cough, loss of taste or smell) you must stay at home.

Safety Measures We Ask You to Follow

To help keep yourself and others safe we ask you to follow and resect the following guidelines, procedures and adaptations to our Worship.

First and foremost, please stay at home if you think you have Covid-19 symptoms (fever, new persistent cough, loss of taste or smell).
If you have been notified by the NHS that you fall into a category which means you are clinically extremely vulnerable, you should follow the government's guidance for people who are clinically extremely vulnerable and are advised to take additional measures to protect yourself.
It is strongly recommended that you wear a face covering when in the church unless you are medically exempt.
If you have the NHS COVID-19 App please feel free to check in by scanning one of the NHS Track & Trace QR codes at the door.
Please use the hand-sanitiser provided when entering the church, again before receiving communion and ‘before and after’ if you use the loo.
Where possible you should keep a safe distance from others.
A contact-free collection will take place during Mass for your weekly offertory or any donations.
Do not sit in any chairs where there is a sign asking you not to sit there.
Candles have been put in place in the candle-stands so you don’t need to pick one up from the baskets – just light yours from one already lit.
If you are receiving Holy Communion, it must be on the hand, and the Host will be dropped onto your hand without touching it. At this time communion will only be offered in one kind.
Please remember to keep a safe distance from others when queuing for communion.
As a precaution we will not be exchanging the sign of peace at Mass for the time being.
Follow any further directions given at Public Worship by The Clergy, Sacristan, Churchwardens, Sidespersons and Marshals.
From time to time Sidespersons may be required to control access to the building. Should the safe capacity be reached regrettably further access to the building will be prevented.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding