Capiz archdiocese prepares for reopening of churches

By Felipe V. Celino 

ROXAS CITY, Capiz – The Archdiocese of Capiz is preparing for the reopening of Catholic Church on June 10, 2020.

Msgr. Jose Advincula Jr., Capiz archbishop, issued a memorandum setting the guidelines for every parish to follow under the “new normal.”

Some of the important health and hygiene protocols that should be followed are:

1. 50% seating capacity inside the church and every parishioner should sit on a marked seat.
2. Social/Physical distancing not less than 1 meter while proceeding to the entrance and exit of the church.
3. Each parishioner should wear facemask (no face mask, no entry).
4. Wash or disinfect hands.
5. Step on the footbath before entering the church.
6. Use thermal scanner at the entrance of the church
7. No holding of hands while singing Our Father/The Lord’s Prayer
8. No handshake in giving of peace
9. 1-meter distance during communion.
10. Regular and general disinfection inside the church, and
11. Prohibition of persons below 20 years old down and 60 years old and above from attending the mass. The sickly and pregnant women are also prohibited from churches.