Cathedral Closures Another Update

Bristol, Chester, Canterbury, Liverpool, and Truro are the latest cathedrals to close their doors today to support the national effort to stop the spread of the infection, keep people safe and protect the NHS.

Further cathedral closures announced.

They join Sheffield, Guildford, St Paul’s, Southwark, Ely, Rochester, Salisbury, Cathedral Isle of Man and York Minster which have all taken the decision to close.

Bradford, Wells, Exeter and Worcester Cathedrals have all announced a suspension of public worship from today (Thurs) and are inviting people to join their services online and are offering some opening times during the week for private prayer and reflection.

They join Chelmsford, Christ Church Oxford, Lincoln, Lichfield, Truro, Wakefield, Hereford, Derby, Blackburn, Norwich, Birmingham, Peterborough and St Asaph from the Church in Wales which have all suspended public worship but are currently open for private prayer and reflection at limited times and days through the week – subject to regular review.

Chichester Cathedral, which remains open for services, prayer and reflection, has reduced capacity at its services to just 40 people on top of its existing Covid precautions and is exploring ways of further live streaming more services. Winchester too has reduced services to just two a week, with a small socially distanced congregation and are encouraging people to join via livestream where possible.

Coventry, Leicester, Manchester, St Edmundsbury, St Albans, and Southwell are also offering a reduced number of public services each week – under strict Covid guidelines – and have limited their opening hours for private prayer and reflection.

All cathedrals are reviewing the situation on a daily basis.

Under the latest Government rules, places of worship can currently remain open for private prayer, reflection and public worship.

Many cathedrals are urging people to stay home, keep safe and protect the NHS, and all of them are offering prayer and worship online and other online so people can join in where they are.

Please be assured all our cathedrals continue to follow the latest public health and government guidance on the safe use of places of worship which includes observing social distance, making sure visitors do not mingle with anyone outside their household or support bubble, and offering hand sanitising stations.

Please visit your cathedral’s website for the latest up to date information.