While the provincial government is allowing more businesses and services to reopen this week, churchgoers in southwestern Ontario may have to wait a little longer.
The Diocese of London announced on Monday that its churches will remain closed until further notice while plans are finalized to reopen safely amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Earlier on Monday, Premier Doug Ford brought welcome news to many Ontarians that the province will begin Phase 2 of its plan to permit several services to reopen, including places of worship. Ford announced that the COVID-19 restrictions, many of which have been in place since mid-March, will be lifted at 12:01 a.m. on Friday.
While churches will be allowed to reopen, attendance will be limited to no more than 30 per cent of the building capacity to ensure physical distancing measures are followed.
The Diocese of London said it will take some time to allow these safety measures to implemented before churches can open their doors to the public.
"Be assured that a detailed plan to reopen is now being finalized. We have not yet set a date, but it will be communicated as soon as we are ready. Many things need to be put in place before we can reopen, including adjusting church seating plans, and training clergy, lay ministers, staff and volunteers in how to be safe and keep our communities safe," said Ronald Fabbro, bishop of the London diocese, in a news release. "We pray that these extraordinary measures will be temporary, but for this to be the case we must follow the advice of health authorities to minimize any potential transmission of the virus when we resume services."
Fabbro said even after the diocese reopens, parishes will continue to live stream masses wherever possible, realizing that not everyone will be able to gather due to the ongoing restrictions on attendance.