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Once Masses can resume after the Provincial Shutdown, the following protocol will be in place:
As we continue to protect ourselves against Covid-19, we would like to remind everyone that there is a proper way to wear a face mask. If we are not wearing masks properly, they are not effective and therefore not protecting us or others. Please see the following illustration and or click here to watch a video regarding the proper way to wear a mask.
Please note that face shields and/or plastic masks are not an appropriate replacement for a face mask. From the Ontario.ca website regarding face shields:
Face shields do not replace masks or face coverings.
A face shield is used to protect the eyes of the person wearing it. Using a face shield without a mask won't protect:- you from potentially inhaling infectious respiratory droplets exhaled by others
- others from your infectious respiratory droplets, as they can escape around the face shield
If you have a medical exemption for wearing a mask, please read the following information:
We are taking every reasonable precaution to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our churches and protect parishioners. Those who attend Mass or other services without a mask and without a valid exemption are violating municipal and provincial COVID-19 restrictions and putting fellow parishioners at risk.
Per Bishop Fabbro, starting January 1, 2021, if you have a medical exemption for wearing a mask, you will be required to bring to the pastor evidence from your physician, nurse practitioner, social worker, psychologist or occupational, respiratory or physical therapist attesting to your condition. Once you do so, you will be provided a document to bring to Mass each time. When you register for Mass, please let them know you have been granted an exemption, so that you can be seated in a designated area.
We will still ask that you wear a mask briefly to enter and exit and to receive Communion, unless your disability prevents you from doing so.
Those who refuse to comply with this diocesan regulation will be asked to leave and will not be permitted to attend Mass until they agree to wear a mask.
We are aware that this new protocol does go beyond the requirements in most health unit orders and local by-laws, but they are required to protect the safety of our parishioners, parish teams and volunteers while on church property. Infections continue to increase in our communities and small sacrifices like wearing a mask can slow the transmission of the virus, and are a sign of our love for our neighbours and help prevent people from taking advantage of the exemptions for personal reasons.
To see Bishop Fabbro's directive regarding this policy, please click here.