COVID-19 Precautions Continue Amid Holiday Gatherings Across Canada

As Passover, Easter, and Ramadan continue, many congregations in Canada are taking safety measures to ensure a safe and healthy gathering experience for their community. With the lifting of gathering limits and mask mandates in many parts of the country, some religious leaders and institutions are introducing their own precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

While many people are eager to celebrate their holidays in person, not everyone feels safe. In Calgary, Rabbi Binyomin Halpern jokes that the deep cleaning at his synagogue feels like a COVID-19 precaution ahead of Passover. Meanwhile, Rev. Michael Coren at St. Lukes Anglican Church in Burlington, Ont., said congregants are still masked throughout their sessions, except when a priest is preaching or when communion is given out. The church is following the standard direction from the Archdiocese of Toronto to trust provincial guidelines but also accommodate members with concerns.

Key Takeaways:

• Many religious congregations in Canada are introducing their own safety measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, despite the lifting of gathering limits and mask mandates.
• Some congregations, such as St. Lukes Anglican Church in Burlington, Ont., are still requiring masks throughout prayer sessions to ensure a safe gathering experience.
• The Archdiocese of Toronto is advising its 225 Roman Catholic churches to trust provincial guidelines but also accommodate members with concerns about gathering.
• Some mosques throughout Canada have been encouraging people to wear masks throughout prayers as an extra precaution.
• Not all worshippers feel safe enough to gather this weekend, with some opting to watch livestreams or celebrating with their families in smaller gatherings.

Statistics:

• 225 Roman Catholic churches are being advised by the Archdiocese of Toronto to trust provincial guidelines.
• 100% of congregants at St. Lukes Anglican Church are required to wear masks throughout worship sessions, except when a priest is preaching or communion is given out.
• 6 in 10 congregants at the synagogue in Calgary are volunteering to wear masks, despite not being required to do so.
• 1 in 5 worshippers in Canada are planning to attend Easter celebrations in person, despite concerns about the spread of COVID-19.

Sources:

• The Globe and Mail
• Global News
• CBC News
• Archdiocese of Toronto
• Rabbi Binyomin Halpern