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Updated face mask advice for places of worship, weddings and funerals

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Face masks are mandatory in certain premises in Greater Sydney, unless exempt.

Children aged 12 and under, are exempt from wearing a mask, but are encouraged to wear masks where practicable. People with a physical or mental health illness or condition, or disability, that makes wearing a mask unsuitable, are not required to wear a mask.

The NSW government has provided some additional guidance on when a face mask is or is not mandatory in Greater Sydney for religious services, weddings and funerals.

All religious services

  • The person leading the wedding, funeral or other religious service does not need to wear a mask. This is because they need to be clearly understood by congregants.
  • The congregation needs to wear masks indoors, unless exempt.
  • The congregation must not exceed one person per 4 square metres of publicly accessible space.

Weddings

  • During a wedding service, the person leading the service does not need to wear a mask, nor does the wedding party. This includes the wedding couple whilst they say their vows.
  • If a wedding occurs in a place of worship as part of a religious service, attendees at the service need to wear a mask indoors, unless exempt.
  • Up to a maximum of 100 people can attend a wedding.

Funerals

  • The person leading the funeral service does not need to wear a mask, nor does anybody while delivering a eulogy or similar as part of the funeral service.
  • Attendees at the service need to be wearing a mask indoors, unless exempt.
  • Up to a maximum of 100 people can attend a funeral.

Music performances during religious services, weddings and funerals

  • Where music performance is part of a service (religious, weddings or funerals), masks do not need to be worn by the performer if impractical for the performance such as wind instruments or singing.

Singing and chanting advice

  • No more than 5 performers should sing indoors, with 1.5 metres between performers and 5 metres between performers and the audience.
  • In indoor areas, audience members and congregants should not participate in singing or chanting.

For more information about mask wearing visit www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/what-you-canand-cant-do-under-rules/common-questions-face-masks

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