Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to provide guidance to religious bodies during the covid-19 outbreak.

To make sure people are staying at home and apart from each other, the government has stopped all public gatherings of more than two people. This includes weddings, baptisms and other religious ceremonies. However, this excludes funerals in places of worship and crematoria.

More details can be found at the following links:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/full-guidance-on-staying-at-home-and-away-from-others/full-guidance-on-staying-at-home-and-away-from-others#closing-certain-businesses-and-venues

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/875304/240320_Revised_Guidance.pdf

While the government recognises the importance of rituals and gatherings, it is advised that the actions detailed in their “guidance for communities managing a death” are taken to reduce the spread of infection. More information can be found at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-care-of-the-deceased/guidance-for-care-of-the-deceased-with-suspected-or-confirmed-coronavirus-covid-19#guidance-for-professionals-who-manage-bodies-including-mortuary-staff-pathologists-and-funeral-directors