With the Order of 9 October 2021 No. 720 “Regarding Declaration of the Emergency Situation” (hereinafter - the Order), the Cabinet of Ministers declared an emergency situation in the country and established several significant restriction, reinforcing them with the amendment of 20 October 2021.
In view of the above, the Ministry of Justice draws attention to the restrictions provided for in the Order and their application in regard to religious activity:
- In the period from 21 October to 14 November this year, religious organizations are encouraged to address the population, asking them to get vaccinated, to stay home and attend the religious services remotely.
- All services during this period must be planned without the presence of visitors. Services are held by spiritual and serving staff within the scope of their duties, avoiding direct contact as much as possible.
- The observance of worship by spiritual staff within the scope of their duties, but not gathering the parish to the church, is not considered to be a religious activity performed by gathering. Thus, while maintaining the possibility of individual visits to places of religious activity, but also taking care of the safest possible environment, it is stipulated that only individual visitors (or persons from one household) may be present at the place of religious activity. Individual visitors or persons from one household must strictly follow the rules on the use of face masks and social (physical) distancing, as well as limit (shorten) the time of the visit as much as possible, not exceeding 15 minutes as much as possible. The order does not specify a specific number of persons who may be present at the place of religious activity, but stipulates that one person shall be provided with not less than 15 m2 of the area of public premises and 20% of the total capacity of the place of religious activity may not be exceeded, taking into account the area and infrastructure of the premises. Anyone present at the place of religious activity must comply with social (physical) distancing requirements. This applies both to the spiritual staff during the service, to the individual visitors to the church (including during the service) and to other persons, such as those who make a live video / audio broadcast of the service.
- The place of religious activity shall work from 6.00 to 19.00.
- From 4 to 7 November this year, the spiritual and serving staff will perform their duties at the places of religious activity in order to ensure remote participation of the general public in the religious activity. On these days, during the working hours, also individuals visit shall be permitted.
- In the period from 21 October to 14 November this year, registration of marriage shall be permitted only in the presence of the persons intending to register their marriage and two adult witnesses. The clergyman must have a Covid-19 vaccination certificate or certificate of recovery.
- Funerals may be organized only outdoors, in the present of not more than 20 people, baptism shall be organized only in the case of emergency in the presence of not more than two households and up to 10 persons (excluding the persons who are performing the rituals). When registering a marriage or attending an emergency baptism or funeral ceremony, all persons present must wear masks covering the mouth and the nose, as well as follow other prescribed social (physical) distancing and epidemiological safety measures.
- Choir rehearsals are not allowed in person, and singing during services must be minimized as much as possible. Singing without the use of a mouth and nose cover, ensuring the proper conduct of worship, is allowed only if it is performed by one person (singer) in a separate room or, for example, on a balcony several meters from spiritual and serving staff and other visitors of the place of religious activity.
- With regard to the applicability of trade restrictions to religious organizations, it should be noted that in view of the explanation provided by religious unions (churches) that the distribution of religious objects cannot be considered trade, but rather as distribution of elements of worship and ritual for donations, the trade restrictions shall not be applicable to religious organizations.
- Religious organizations cooperate with the State Police and other institutions to ensure public order and epidemiological requirements.
Everyone is strongly encouraged to get vaccinated, stay at home and not attend churches to ensure public health and reduce the risk of infection for themselves and others.
The Ministry of Justice appreciates the active involvement of representatives of religious organizations in explaining the security measures put in place and encouraging believers to stay at home by refraining from visiting places of worship as much as possible, instead calling for remote participation.