Gov. reduces church capacity

Beginning the day after Christmas, churches will only be allowed to let in 25 percent of the building’s capacity. Msgr. James P. Moroney, director of the diocesan Office for Divine Worship, said that the new restrictions announced by Gov. Charlie Baker on Tuesday, reduces the capacity from 40 percent to 25 percent.
Gov. Baker announced new restrictions on gatherings, in order to mitigate the increasing spread of the COVID-19 virus.  
            The reduced capacity applies to places of worship, restaurants, businesses, casinos, office spaces, fitness centers and many industries, and goes to effect Saturday, Dec. 26.
General gathering limits (non-liturgical) have been reduced to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors, Msgr. Moroney noted in a memo to diocesan priests.
“Many of our churches will not be significantly impacted by this reduction in seating capacity since it is difficult to fill more than 25% of seating capacity with the requisite social distancing of six feet between people on all sides. In every instance, however, no more than 25% of seating capacity should be admitted to the church at any given time,” he said. The seating capacity is listed on the occupancy permit for the church which was issued by a local municipality, he explained.
            “I would, of course, urge you to continue to observe all the protocols we already have in place in order to reduce the spread of the virus at this critical time,” he said.