Nativity plays are in the clear
(Picture: PA Archive/PA Images)Nativity plays and door-to-door Christmas carolling will be allowed once lockdown ends.
Conservative MP Andrew Selous, who speaks on behalf of the church in the House of Commons, suggested the green light has been given to carol singers – as long as they are socially distanced and outdoors.
He added that nativity plays for under-18s are also permitted in accordance with performance arts guidance.
Speaking during church commissioners’ questions, Mr Selous said that many churches and cathedrals are: planning to have multiple services to accommodate worshippers while also following guidelines.
“From December 2 places of worship can reopen for public worship and churches and cathedrals can now approach Advent and Christmas with certainty", he said.
“Clergy have already demonstrated that they’ve made their buildings Covid-secure and many cathedrals and churches are planning to have multiple services to accommodate more people as less are allowed in each service.
“The further good news is that while indoor singing is limited to performers only, we can all take part in outdoor and door-to-door singing, staying two metres apart or away from the threshold, and nativity plays for under-18s are permitted in accordance with the performing arts guidance.”
London will be under Tier 2 restrictions
REUTERSIt comes as almost all parts of England will face tough coronavirus curbs with a ban on households mixing indoors and restrictions on hospitality after December 2.
Only the Isle of Wight, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly have been placed in the lowest Tier 1 set of restrictions, with people in all other parts of England set to face more serious limits to their freedom.
Large swathes of the Midlands, North East and North West are in the most restrictive Tier 3, but London will be in Tier 2.
Liverpool, which had been in Tier 3 before the lockdown, will move to Tier 2 in recognition of efforts to curb the spread of coronavirus.
