COVID 19 Update

These guidelines supersede all previous guidelines issued from the Diocese. Legal requirements are subject to change. Details are available at https://coronavirus.tas.gov.au/ and at https://www.worksafe.tas.gov.au/. Every effort is made to ensure that these guidelines are consistent with Government advice and directives. If there is inconsistency, the government directives take precedence.

Update: 13 January 2023

The implementation group has decided to remove the blanket requirement for vaccination to engage in ministry with vulnerable people effective immediately.

Guidance should be provided in this regard to allow those in vulnerable person categories to make an informed choice about the ministries they participate in or receive, and the risk profile of those ministries.

In line with public health advice, it is strongly recommended that face masks are worn in crowded indoor spaces and when visiting people who might be at risk of severe illness.

Ministries operating in high risk or priority settings will also need to continue to follow the current restrictions and guidance set by the government or the facility being visited.

In regards to food handling, standard food handling guidelines should be followed.

Update: 28 June 2022

The relaxation of some of the last Covid-19 public health restrictions, provides an opportunity for us to re-introduce the common cup with our communion services.

Use of the common cup is not compulsory, and an alternative option should be provided (e.g. individual cups, or pre-intinction of the bread). Communion in one kind only is not consistent with the proper administration of the Lord’s Supper and is to be avoided. Intinction of bread by the communicant is no longer allowed

To continue to provide as safe an environment as possible, please observe the following guidelines:

• Church attendance: In accordance with current Public Health advice, people with active symptoms of COVID must remain in isolation. Those who are close contacts of a COVID case within the previous seven days should avoid social gatherings, which includes church functions.
• Hand sanitiser: should be available at the church entrance, with signs encouraging people to use it. Hand sanitiser should be used before and after communion by those preparing, handling or administering the sacraments.
• Masks: Mask wearing is no longer mandated by Public Health in any setting. However congregational members are encouraged to continue to wear face masks to reduce the spread of COVID 19, particularly when singing.
• Administering communion: to reduce the risk of spreading COVID 19 during Holy Communion, those who are preparing or distributing the bread and common cup should:
  • Sanitise hands before touching any of the elements; and
  • wear a face mask
  • use the purificator, preferably a linen cloth, by wiping the rim of the chalice inside and out with a clean part of the purificator between each communicant,
• Reception of communion: No pressure should be placed on members of the congregation to receive the sacraments if they feel unable to do so.

Physical distancing during reception of the sacraments is encouraged.

• Disposal of unused elements: While it is a prayer book rubric to consume the remaining consecrated elements after communion, given the health risks, you are encouraged to dispose of any remaining consecrated elements in a reverent manner, which may include returning them to the ground.

Historic updates