COVID-19 Update from the Dean

Dear Friends,

As expected, the Province of British Columbia moved to Step 3 of its COVID re-start plan, effective July 1. The new public health guidance has important implications for faith communities, especially in terms of easing restrictions and orders. At the same time, both our diocesan and cathedral leadership teams are carefully assessing risk, and our tolerance for risk, in coming up with plans that meet the needs and expectations of our local communities.

Here at the Cathedral, we plan to move a little more gradually than the new provincial guidance allows. We do this knowing that many of our people are waiting until they have been fully vaccinated before returning to unrestricted in-person worship. This includes some members of our staff, who are clinically vulnerable. Therefore, many of the precautions currently in place will continue until at least the beginning of September. Other restrictions will be lifted incrementally. And meanwhile, we are now in an excellent position to continue providing high-quality livestreaming to any who find this helpful.

Meanwhile, here is what to expect, and when:

Pre-Registration

Effective Immediately
You are no longer required to pre-register for the 8.00 a.m. service on Sundays. You will, however, be asked to provide your name and contact information on arrival.

Effective July 19
You will no longer be required to pre-register for the 10.30 service on Sundays.

Entrance and Exit

Between July 4 to 18
Entrance will be by the Burdett Avenue doors only. Both the Burdett and Quadra doors will be open at the end of the service.

Effective  July 25
You may enter and leave by any door you please!

Hand Sanitization

Please make use of a hand sanitizing station as you enter and leave the cathedral. We suspect that this is a practice which will outlast COVID!

Contact Tracing

Between July 4 to 18
We will continue to collect names and contact information until July 18, either at the door, or through the pre-registration process for the 10.30 Sunday service.

Effective July 19
We will not require contact information, but will provide a sign-up sheet for those who wish to exercise this precaution. As before, all information will be destroyed after 30 days.

Where will we gather?

Effective July 4
For now, all services (8.00, 10.30 and 4.00) will be held in the nave, where there is adequate room to maintain distance.
Evensong

July 4 until Step 4 is announced by Public Health
Evensong will continue to be livestreamed only. This is to allow us a slightly larger choral ensemble without creating undue risk for a congregation.

Offerings

Effective July 4
The offering basket may now be passed hand to hand during the service. For those who prefer a non-touch option, the basket will also be available at the Burdett Avenue door upon entry. The kiosk at the Quadra doors is also available.

Masks

For the time being, masks are required at indoor services and events. At outdoor events, they are not required, but are certainly permitted.

Distancing

Even as permissible numbers increase, we will be encouraging appropriate distancing.

Singing

Effective July 4
We are once again permitted a small musical ensemble. This will be limited to 4 singers over the summer, well-distanced from each other and the congregation.

Effective August 1
Congregational singing will now be permitted on the condition that all are masked and appropriately distanced.

Sharing the Peace

There is no change here: we will share the peace without handshakes or hugs.

Communion

There is no change here. The sacrament will be administered under the form of bread only, and at a standing station.

Socializing after the Service

Effective July 25
It will be permissible to socialize outdoors following the service, so long as 2 metres distance is maintained. No refreshments are to be served.

Yours faithfully,
(The Very Reverend) M. Ansley Tucker
Rector and Dean