Latest update from the Central Council:
The Church of England guidance for Plan B in England has now been published and it includes the following words: “Face coverings are currently mandatory on public transport and in a range of indoor venues including places of worship. While there are exemptions, outlined below, this is a legal requirement” (their emphasis).
The House of Bishops Recovery Group has not offered any general exemption for bellringing.
The full document can be found here. Pages 2 and 3 confirm that face coverings are a legal requirement.
The Government guidance that includes places of worship in the list of mandated places for face coverings is here.
We will of course continue to liaise with the House of Bishops Recovery Group on what has been a rapidly developing situation.
Simon Linford,
President