COVID-19 Health & Safety

Since the pandemic begun the obligation to attend Sunday Mass has been removed by the Bishops of England and Wales – this still applies but if you wish to attend mass and wish to avoid the busy Sunday Masses please come along to 9am weekday mass (Monday to Saturday).

Please follow the directions of the Stewards on entry/exit and during the distribution of Holy Communion. To ensure the health and safety of parishioners coming to the Church therefore a few guidelines will need to be followed.

• Please do NOT come to church if you have COVID-19 symptoms or have been contacted by the NHS Track and Trace service or have been asked to self isolate.
• The capacity of the church has been reduced approx. 120 people allowed to each Mass and social distancing must be observed and the hygiene regulations at all times.
• Entry to the church will be on a first come first served basis and social distancing will be required when queuing outside the Pastoral Centre and you will be issued a ticket for entry.
• Readers and Ministers will need to entry the church via the sacristy door and sit (socially distanced) in the side chapel.
• If possible can you not drive to church as space in the Car Park will be strictly limited.

• On arrival you will directed by a steward to sanitise your hands.
• Please check in on your smart phone using the NHS COVID app  using the QR code for the church
• The wearing of face covering’s is mandated in all places of worship from the 8th Aug 2020.
• There will be no singing during Mass.
• Do not use the kneelers.
• The toilets will be closed until further notice.
• The stewards will direct each row to receive Holy Communion.
• When approaching the Priest or Minister for Communion, fully extend your hands. You will only be able to receive Holy Communion on the hand.
• When you receive Holy Communion do not say ‘Amen’ aloud.
• The distribution of Holy Communion will be at the end of Mass – and you will be required to leave the church straight afterwards
• There will be a box at the back of the church for your offertory envelopes but you can still donate online at https://www.dioceseofbrentwood.net/donations/?parish=wanstead.

In the event of testing positive for COVID19 

If you test positive of COVID19 you must contact the NHS Track and Trace service – and mention to them the mass/service you have attended at OLOL and you must also inform the Parish Office as soon as possible.

We will need your name, contact number and email address and the date of you positive test.  

All the arrangements that we are putting in place will be continually assessed and reviewed as we move forward with this process of reopening our church.   

For information from the Bishops Conference of England and Wales is available at; https://www.cbcew.org.uk/home/our-work/health-social-care/coronavirus-guidelines/guidance-collective-worship/  

Guidance on the celebration of the Mass https://www.cbcew.org.uk/home/our-work/health-social-care/coronavirus-guidelines/guidance-collective-worship/

Please continue to check the parish website and social media for updates and further information.   

Page Last updated: 27th Dec 2020