To Parishes and Missions in the HALIBURTON KAWARTHA PINERIDGE HEALTH UNIT
PASTORAL MANAGEMENT INFORMATION FOR PRIESTS These parishes and missions fall under the Haliburton Kawartha Pineridge Health Unit. St. Mary Parish, Lindsay Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Cardiff Our Lady of Mercy Parish, Port Hope Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Hastings St. Mary Parish, Grafton Our Lady Queen of Peace/ St. Aloysius Parishes, Fenelon Falls St. John Parish, Kirkfield St. Luke Parish, Downeyville St. Michael Parish, Cobourg Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Campbellford
WEARING A FACE MASK AT THE PARISH The HALIBURTON KAWARTHA PINERIDGE HEALTH UNIT has ordered that the wearing non-medical masks or face coverings will be required in many indoor public spaces – commercial establishments and businesses – in the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pineridge Region as of Monday, July 13, 2020. The Health Unit Order has been issued under the authority of Ontario Regulation 263/20 under the provincial Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMCPA). The Worship Safe reopening plan for the Diocese of Peterborough follows the directives of the Health Unit but is not responsible for these Orders or for their enforcement unless it is stipulated in the Order.
The Order from the Durham Health Unit applies to indoor public spaces and does not apply to places of worship. The Diocese of Peterborough contacted the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pineridge Health Unit directly and a clarification and a rationale were provided.
RATIONALE Other healthcare precautions and restrictions apply to places of worship. These provisions are more stringent restrictions than those imposed on commercial establishments – namely the 30% capacity restriction which supports physical distancing. While face masks in churches are strongly encouraged by the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pineridge Health Unit, they are not mandatory. Worship Safe, the reopening plan, states that the use of face masks is strongly encouraged.
WEARING A FACE MASK AT A FUNERAL The Bereavement Authority of Ontario issued a Registrar’s Directive that a face covering must be worn at a funeral in the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pineridge Region as of Wednesday, July 8th (yesterday). Again, the Worship Safe reopening plan for the Diocese of Peterborough follows the directives of the Bereavement Authority of Ontario but is not responsible for these directives or for their enforcement unless it is stipulated in the directive.
PRIESTS Priests do not need to wear masks in the sanctuary while celebrating Mass but should ensure they are wearing a mask when distributing Holy Communion and any other setting where they are in close proximity (less than 2m/6 ft.) to parishioners.
LECTORS Lectors should remove masks to proclaim the Word of God.
EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF COMMUNION Extraordinary Ministers of Communion must wear a face covering/mask when distributing Holy Communion.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR FUNERAL HOME PERSONNEL Funeral Home personnel are aware of the Registrar’s Directive and may arrive at the parish with their own supply of face masks or face coverings. If not, kindly ensure that the staff from the Funeral Home has access to the parish’s supply of face coverings / face masks so that those mourners who forget their face covering/ face mask are provided with one. The parish may provide disposable face coverings/masks or homemade masks that must be cleaned after each use.
ANNOUNCEMENT AT MASS THIS WEEKEND (July 11/12) (for pulpit use and through parish communication channels) Notice to Parishioners – New Registrar’s Directive from the Bereavement Authority of Ontario Requires the Mandatory Use of Masks at Funerals. Thank you for your co-operation and kindness as we have returned to church over these past weeks. It has been great to see parishioners once again. A special thank-you everyone who has been helpful in this re-opening stage, especially our wonderful volunteers. Thank you! The Bereavement Authority of Ontario has issued a Registrar’s Directive which states that the wearing of masks or face coverings is mandatory for all persons (funeral staff and attendees) inside all funeral establishments or any other indoor setting where a funeral or visitation is held in the jurisdiction of the Haliburton Kawartha Pineridge Health Unit. This includes our own parish. You are asked to bring a mask or face covering and to wear it upon entering the church for a funeral. You may have heard that the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pineridge Health Unit has ordered that non-medical masks or face coverings be worn in indoor public spaces, commercial establishments and businesses in its jurisdiction as of Monday, July 13, 2020. The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pineridge Health Unit confirmed that the Order does NOT apply to places of worship. While face masks in church are strongly encouraged by both the Diocese of Peterborough and the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pineridge Health Unit, they are not mandatory. We are all committed to caring for our neighbours and those around us. While a number of restrictions have been lifted in recent days, we are still in the middle of a pandemic and need to take the appropriate steps to minimize any potential spread of COVID-19. Thank you in advance for your co-operation as we do all that we can to take care of one another and keep our community safe and healthy.
HALIBURTON KAWARTHA PINERIDGE HEALTH UNIT ORDER Use of Non-Medical Masks and Face Coverings in Commercial Establishments To prevent the spread of COVID-19, the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit is instructing that non-medical masks or face coverings be worn in many indoor public spaces in the area. This instruction takes effect at 12:01 am on July 13, 2020, and includes commercial establishments and businesses in Haliburton County, Northumberland County and the City of Kawartha Lakes. The Health Unit is issuing this under the authority of Ontario Regulation 263/20 under Ontario’s Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. The aim of the directive is to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in this region. Website: https://www.hkpr.on.ca/news_items/7768/
REGISTRAR’S DIRECTIVE: MASKS AND FACE COVERINGS MANDATORY AT INDOOR FUNERALS AND VISITATIONS Effective July 8, 2020 Wearing masks or face coverings is mandatory for all persons (funeral staff and attendees) inside all funeral establishments or any other indoor setting where a funeral or visitation is held in the jurisdiction of the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pineridge Health Unit. Your face covering protects them. Their face covering protects you. Why you and your attendees should wear masks or face coverings: 1. COVID-19 loves mass indoor gatherings. It spreads among people who are in close contact with one another (within about two metres or six feet). 2. The nature of funerals makes physical distancing difficult, if not impossible. Funerals are about mourning, comforting, consoling; there are hugs, tears, and runny noses. 3. COVID-19 can be spread by people who do not have symptoms and do not know that they are infected. 4. It is spread by respiratory droplets when someone speaks, coughs or sneezes. 5. Masks and cloth face coverings provide a simple barrier to help prevent respiratory droplets from traveling into the air. 6. Recent research shows that wearing a mask significantly helps in preventing the spread of the virus. All funeral and visitation notices must state the requirement to wear masks or face coverings in the jurisdictions listed. (Please know that the list of jurisdictions will change during the pandemic period.) Carey Smith, CEO/Registrar
Website: https://thebao.ca/registrars-directive-masks-and-face-coverings-mandatory-at-indoor-funerals-and-visitations/