Churches in Switzerland are being forced to use vaccine passports for worship services that are attended by 50 or more people. All of those aged over 16 will be required to show an official certificate of vaccination, proof of having recently recovered from the virus, or proof of a negative test. The rules will…
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The Crown Prosecution Service has dropped its case against open-air preacher Mike Overd, who had become the first Christian preacher to fall foul of coronavirus laws during the first English lockdown. Mr Overd, who is no stranger to controversy, had been carrying out his street ministry in Taunton town centre, Somerset, during March and…
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All remaining Covid-19 restrictions on places of worship have been lifted in England, but churches have been urged to act cautiously and responsibly as the virus still poses a threat. Speaking in the House of Commons on 5 July, the new Health Secretary Sajid Javid said there will be ‘no restrictions on communal worship…
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A street preacher arrested in Sutton for preaching on Easter Sunday last year is to appeal a ruling made by the City of London magistrates’ court. In July, a judge ruled it was right for the police to arrest and fine Andrew Sathiyavan, 46, for breaking Covid regulations by street preaching on Easter Sunday.…
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Challenges faced by care homes have featured prominently in news coverage of Covid-19. Fatality figures among residents, recriminations about government policy, as well as the vexed question of visitation rights have often hit the headlines. However, little attention has been given to care home workers and their front-line efforts. Examples abound of remarkable sacrifices,…
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A poll has revealed increased appreciation among non-Christians for the role of UK churches since the Covid-19 pandemic. 2,170 adults were surveyed in February by Savanta ComRes. 25% of those identifying as non-Christians agreed that churches ‘make a positive difference’ compared to just 19% of the same demographic agreeing with the statement three years…
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Qualifications There are scenarios in which there is a convincing case for churches not gathering, for example because of the severity of the health risk if they do gather or because of the vulnerability of a particular congregation as a whole. There are individuals who should not gather because doing so would be recklessly…
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