Pursuant to the HKSAR Government’s introduction of stricter social distancing measures in response to the recent surge in local COVID-19 cases, the House of Bishops has announced the following arrangements for the churches situate in Hong Kong:
1. Starting from 2 December 2020, all public worship services (including weekday, Saturday, and Sunday services) and group activities are to be suspended until further notice.
2. Arrangements for services of holy matrimony and funerals will be separately made between the church and the parties concerned. In pursuance of the Prevention and Control of Disease (Prohibition on Group Gathering) Regulation (Chapter 599G of the Laws of Hong Kong), a wedding ceremony should not be attended by more than 20 persons, and there should not be any food or drink served.
3. Churches may be open during set hours for private prayers and silent meditation.
4. Churches may make live broadcast of their services or message sharing through the internet and publish the details on their websites. They should also provide the broadcast information to the Provincial Office for announcement on the provincial website and in Echo. Guidelines regarding online worship services, prepared by the Standing Commission on Liturgical Matters, should be followed.
Please continue to pay close attention to the issuance of other notices by the House of Bishops or the Provincial Office as the situation unfolds, and pray for God’s mercy as the world combats the spread and the impacts of COVID-19.
By order of the House of Bishops
The Revd Canon Peter Douglas Koon, Secretary
2 December 2020
