(ETH) – Easter weekend is upon us and the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) has just released a lengthy guide with practices they expect people to follow while worshiping God at church.
This comes as Governor Tate Reeves lifted all state-imposed mask mandates at the beginning of March, but the state’s health department has stepped in and issued guidance for the public. Although the State Department can’t technically force church parishioners to follow their rules, they are continuing to push these suggestive requirements.
According to the report from Todd Starnes, one of the most ridiculous guidelines in the list is that the MSDH calls singing a “high-risk activity that can quickly spread viral particles.” as well as the danger of taking communion. It says “alternatives to shared cups for communion should be pursued.” Here is the full list of guidelines:
– Everyone 65 years of age or older should be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to attending in-person worship services (full vaccination is considered two weeks after the second dose of a two-dose vaccine, or two weeks after receiving a single-dose vaccine).
– Anyone 16 or older with high-risk medical conditions should be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to attending in-person worship services (two weeks after completing vaccination).
– Indoor safety guidance: All congregants should wear a face mask at all times during in-person services. All congregants should maintain six feet of separation from persons outside of their household. Household members may sit together.
– Congregants should not gather in close groups while entering or exiting the building.
– Congregants should use hand sanitizer prior to or upon entry of the building.
– Singing is a high-risk activity that can quickly spread viral particles. It is preferable to not have choirs; however, if choirs are performing, they should be small in number, masked, and separated by six feet.
– Those in classroom settings such as Sunday school or study groups should maintain six feet of separation and wear a mask at all times.
– As appropriate, alternatives to shared cups for communion should be pursued.
– The use of hymn books or prayer books is acceptable so long as congregants practice proper hand hygiene upon entering.
Additional procedures to protect congregants are encouraged based on local congregation leadership decisions.
