Church life in the shadow of Covid-19

Covid-19 continues to have a negative impact on church life. Since the 4^th of January it has been possible to attend church services, but with certain restrictions. Church services should not last longer than 30 minutes. 

Two meters of distance instead of one meter between churchgoers is recommended, and singing by the congregation should not take place (normally a central part of a Danish church service).

Instead, church singers can sing, or the organist can play instrumental music. All this also applies for other ecclesiastical acts. 

“The church must adopt to the severity of the situation and function on a level that minimizes the risk of infection, while being present and fulfilling the important role of the church in a crisis such as this one,” the bishops write in their guidance letter to the churches.

With short notice the Christmas church services were cancelled on the basis of recommendations from the health authorities and the bishops. The churches were also closed during Easter 2020 because the country was in lockdown. 

Many churches are unsure under which conditions to celebrate Easter this year. “Easter is an important time for the church, and many want to attend church,”  Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has recently acknowledged according to Christian Daily. In the government's current negotiations concerning reopening of society the churches have not been mentioned, however.