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World News

Is it time for churches to end Covid restrictions in their buildings?

by Alex Collett

A spokesman for the Evangelical Alliance believes churches will want to be sensible as the PM announces the scrapping of Covid-19 laws.

Boris Johnson has announced there will be no legal requirement to self-isolate if you test positive from Thursday and free Covid testing will stop from April.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid says people still need to be "cautious and vigilant" 

Danny Webster is head of advocacy at the Evangelical Alliance; he says churches will still possibly want to take precautions: "I think churches will want to be sensible in terms of what they require. 

"It's helpful for churches to provide opportunities for people to join, whether that's joining online or having opportunities for more distanced congregational seating. 

"So I think there's some sensible measures that churches may still want to have in place. 

"But I think churches will also want to ensure that they are open and welcoming people into their services and into their activities to ensure that churches are able to provide and to support people in their communities, which I think is really helpful and a really vital part of the role that churches play."

Danny also says we should still be praying for Frontline workers. He said: "We have to continue to pray for everyone who's working on the front line and in professional healthcare settings.

"But I also want to remember that we pray for those in churches who are reaching out to their communities' churches, they have played a vital role over the last two years in supporting people and helping people.

"I think that has been something that we as churches have learned and we want to continue to do, to serve our neighbours and to serve our communities."

Danny also thinks it is a positive step that people are returning to normal: - "In effect what Boris is saying, is that we have to treat COVID in the way we treat any other illness. 

"So there aren't going to be any special rules, no special sick pay arrangements or requirements for isolation. 

"So in some ways, this is a positive step in that it will enable businesses to get back to normal, it will enable people to carry on their lives and we won't have the same restrictions as before. 

"But also it will be a matter of concern for many people who are still concerned about the impact of Covid on their lives, particularly for those who are vulnerable.

"I think people will continue to take sensible measures and I think that is something perhaps we're learning, that you don't need to go into work, if you're unwell. 

"It's not good to be spreading illness around if you're on public transport. 

"So there are sensible measures, people continue to take if they have Covid, or if they have other illnesses."
 

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