Singing and chanting will not be allowed in places of worship when they emerge from coronavirus lockdown, MPs have heard.
Conservative MP Andrew Selous, in his role as the Church of England’s representative in the Commons, has said that neither singing or chanting will be allowed even at a distance.
It comes after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that places of worship could reopen from July 4.
Mr Selous also said that woodwind and brass instruments should not be used due to "the additional risk of infection."
There will be no cap placed on the number of people attending places of worship, he said.
However, weddings will be restricted to a maximum of 30 attendees.
Mr Selous said: “Weddings can indeed now take place from July 4 but only with a maximum of 30 people and this is a huge relief to many couples throughout the country.
“For church services, there is no maximum number within a place of worship as long as the premises comply with Covid secure guidelines.”
He added: “Singing and chanting are not allowed even at a distance due to the additional risk of infection and woodwind and brass instruments should not be used, but that does still leave many other instruments.”
After being asked how the public could be reassured that it would be safe to return to church soon, he said: "I know from my own village church how seriously the vicar and the church wardens are taking their responsibility to make sure their return will be safe."
He said churches had been taking measures to supply hand sanitiser, keep prayer books covered up and make sure people are sitting at a distance from each other.
