EXTRA TIME

It’s England‘s Independence Day Today!

July 4, 2020 at 3:44 pm Leave a comment

The 4th of July isn’t only the United States’ Independence Day this year: today can also be dubbed an Independence Day for England because people get back the freedom to go to hairdressers, pubs, hotels and churches. They are all allowed to reopen by July 4th after months of lockdown!

Therefore as of tomorrow, also Sunday Church services are allowed back, for the first time since the pandemic started. Again, it will all feel very different as The Telegraph reports. There will be no hymns due to the higher risk of transmission while singing, and worshippers have been asked to bring their own Bible or holy book with them. Where worshippers are unable to do so, books should be cleaned and quarantined for 48 hours after use, the Government says. Muslims should also bring their own prayer mat to services.  Communion will be allowed, but worshippers are advised not to drink from the same wine glass or share the same bread. “Peace be with you” handshakes have been suspended. 

St Paul’s Cathedral is one of the churches that will restart their services. On Sunday the Eucharist with Sermon will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. at St. Paul’s Cathedral. However, it seems that a lot of churches will still remain closed and celebrate their services online like they have done since March.

Anyway, it’s not only a small step, it’s a big leap back to normality in England!

The new rules and guidelines though do not apply in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. And also Leicester in the English East Midlands has got their own thing going on. The lockdown in Leicester was tightened  in recent days because of a coronavirus case rise and the loosening of restrictions is not taking place there.

Entry filed under: Uncategorized.