The Curia has published a list of mass times as churches across the island will this weekend start welcoming the faithful once again. 

Churches will be adhering to social distancing measures and each place of worship will have limited seating space.

Some parishes are offering the opportunity to parishioners to reserve a seat in advance through an online form. The reserved seats are only available for a limited number of seats, the rest will be allocated on a first come first serve basis. Up to six household members can sit together and no books or leaflets are allowed.

The congregation is being asked to wear a mask or a visor, with exceptions made only for the priest, and they will be guided on how to receive the host.

Those providing the service, should not be considered vulnerable to coronavirus - a challenge, perhaps, for an aging church congregation. 

According to the curia guidelines, mass should ideally be held outdoors, but if inside, there should be separate exit and entry points and ushers should have sanitisers at the door. 

Another guideline is that mass should not take longer than it needs to. Singing is discouraged, with only instrumental music played, unless on special occasions when a soloist is allowed. 

No collection will be taken, with the congregation instead asked to donate in open containers.

Meanwhile, mass will continue being live-streamed daily for those who don't want to return to public spaces.

Photo: Curia

All public religious ceremonies were cancelled in March over the coronavirus pandemic that has affected 645 people and led to nine deaths.

Funeral services were allowed to resume in mid-May. Baptism and marriage has also been given the go ahead.