Although many churches held in-person worship services on Sunday, they came with various restrictions on physical contact in light of concerns over spreading COVID-19. These measures included a ban on singing and handshakes as it is believed that both may promote the spreading of the virus.

Prelate Karl Juesten, a church lobbyist, explained that certain contact restrictions would remain.

“In particular, rules must be made so that nobody can be infected by the singing,” stated Juesten, adding that the matter of Holy Communion would also be addressed. “It is crucial that the reception of Communion remains dignified and at the same time takes into account the need to protect people from infection,” he explained

Germany is not the only country to begin easing restrictions on mass gatherings established in response to the spread of coronavirus despite adding some added safety measures as a precaution.

Last month, South Korea allowed megachurches and professional sports venues to hold events, albeit while still respecting social distancing rules. Onnuri Church in Seoul, for example, limited access to their three thousand-seat sanctuary to seven hundred attendees who preregistered and were given designated seats. Some churches in the U.S. began to reopen as well, including Fellowship Church in Texas, which allowed only twenty-five per cent of its sanctuary to be filled.

Other nations, however, have been more hesitant to lift such bans. Greece, for example, decided to maintain a ban on in-person services while allowing the easing of restrictions for other groups.

Source: christianpost.com