Information updated 2 June 2021, 5pm
The following Guidelines are approved by Most Rev Peter A Comensoli, Archbishop of Melbourne, to assist Clergy and Faithful with questions pertaining to specific areas of liturgy and ministry in the Archdiocese of Melbourne during this time of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The restrictions in place are compulsory as issued under lawful direction of the Chief Health Officer of Victoria, where a State of Emergency remains in place until 16 December 2021.
As of 11.59pm Thursday 3 June 2021, the following measures will apply across Metropolitan Melbourne and Regional Victoria (note the categories for this below) and will be in place until at least 11.59pm Thursday, 10 June 2021.
Regional Victoria
Face Coverings
- Must be carried at all times
- Must be worn indoors except if at home, or if an exception applies
- Must be worn outdoors where 1.5 metres physical distancing cannot be maintained
Ceremonies and Religious Gatherings
- Permitted for up to 50 people per venue, density quotient of 1 person per 4 sqm applies
Funerals (indoors and outdoors)
- Permitted with no more than 50 people (and those necessary to conduct the funeral)
- Children under 12 months old are not counted towards this cap
Weddings (indoor and outdoor)
- Permitted with no more than 10 people (including the two persons being married, celebrant, two witnesses)
- These settings apply to any venue in which a wedding is held, except for private residences where private gathering limits apply
Social gatherings, visitors and leaving home
- Can leave home for any reason
Private Gatherings in the home
- Not permitted. Only single bubble permitted
Public Gatherings (park, beach etc.)
- Permitted for up to 10 people
Care Facility Visitors
- Visitors permitted into aged care or other care facility setting for end-of-life reasons and permitted purposes only
Hospital Visitors
- Visitors permitted into aged care or other care facility setting for end-of-life reasons and permitted purposes only, as a support partner for birth, or a parent to accompany a child
Work
- Capped at 50% or 20 people, whichever is greater. If you can work from home you should remain doing so
QR Contact tracing
- 15-min threshold removed. All venue attendees must register.
Metropolitan Melbourne
Face Coverings
- Must be carried at all times
- Must be worn indoors and outdoors
Ceremonies and Religious Gatherings
- No in-person gatherings permitted
- Broadcast permitted with a total of 5 people per venue including Celebrant and technicians
Funerals (indoors and outdoors)
- Permitted with no more than 10 people (and those necessary to conduct the funeral)
- Children under 12 months old are not counted towards this cap
Weddings (indoor and outdoor)
- Not permitted unless end of life or for deportation reasons, and then may only involve 5 persons (including the two persons being married, celebrant, two witnesses)
Social gatherings, visitors and leaving home
- Stay home unless: shopping for necessary goods and services (one person per household, once per day, a support person can accompany if required); caregiving or compassionate reasons; authorised work or permitted education, or work interstate; exercise (up to two hours, with one other person or members of your household); receive a COVID-19 vaccination; other specified reasons (specific exemptions apply)
- Intrastate travel: Travel limit of 10km from place of primary residence, except: to access necessary goods and services where those goods and services cannot be accessed closer than 10km from home; to visit an intimate partner; to visit a person in your “single bubble”; allowed to travel for authorised work and permitted education; work at an interstate location (where permitted by another state); care and compassionate reasons (specific exemptions apply).
Private Gatherings in the home
- Not permitted Only single bubble permitted.
Public Gatherings (park, beach etc.)
- Not permitted
Care Facility Visitors
- Visitors permitted into aged care or other care facility setting for end-of-life reasons and permitted purposes only
Hospital Visitors
- Visitors permitted into aged care or other care facility setting for end-of-life reasons and permitted purposes only, as a support partner for birth, or a parent to accompany a child
Work
- Work from home unless authorised
QR Contact tracing
- 15-min threshold removed. All venue attendees must register.
Under no circumstances should anyone awaiting a COVID-19 test verification, including Clergy (even without presenting symptoms) attend a church or parish setting until a diagnosis is confirmed. Additionally, under no circumstances should anyone attend who is closely connected to people who are awaiting test results or who have tested positive.
Victoria
We welcome the opening up of our places of worship and opportunities for gathering, but remain mindful and respectful that many in our community will be feeling cautious and anxious in coming weeks, and that density quotients will prevent our full communities gathering as they would wish.
For the time being, all Catholics in Melbourne continue to be dispensed from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass until further directed by the Archbishop. We continue to carry the happy obligation to keep Sunday holy, whether we can attend Mass or not, and can do so by any kind of prayer with members of our household and parish, reading holy scripture, and encouraging one another in our faith. Prayerfully watching an online Mass continues to be a great source of comfort on Sundays.
Where applicable, the following Liturgical Guidelines will apply noting the difference in allowances between Metropolitan Melbourne and Regional Victoria: