Explanation of the Applicability of Cabinet Order No. 103 to Activity During EASTER

Explanation by the Ministry of Justice on the applicability of the restrictions mentioned in Cabinet Order No. 103 of 12 March 2020 “On Declaration of the Emergency Situation” to the activity of religious organisations during Easter

 Link to the Ministry of Justice

Easter is a special time when Christians throughout the world celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. However, at present a state of emergency has been declared in the country, caused by the spread of Covid-19 throughout the world, including Latvia, and this can affect any of us. In order to care for public health safety and reduce the risk of infection with Covid-19, strict restrictions on gathering in groups have been set during the emergency situation, and these also affect gathering for worship services in all places of worship in Latvia.

Minister of Justice Janis Bordans: “This Easter I invite everyone to be understanding and responsible toward the decisions adopted by the government and toward one another. During the holiday let us remember that it is written in the Bible: ‘For where two or three are gathered in My name, there I am among them’ (Matthew 18:20). This means that each of us can create the special mood of Easter by gathering together in our own home, reflecting on the meaning of Easter and uniting in prayer in our homes and families - for our country and for every person who is currently working to reduce the risk of infection with Covid-19. By being united we will promote a faster improvement of the situation. And let us remember that every crisis is at the same time also a new opportunity for growth. Especially at this time, when we must observe safety measures so as not to endanger our own and other people’s physical well-being, it is equally important to pay attention to and not neglect our spiritual health.”

Taking into account the powers granted by the government, the Ministry of Justice draws special attention to and provides an explanation of the planned restrictions and their application during Easter:

1. Religious organisations, during the periods from 10 to 12 April and from 17 to 19 April, depending on the time of celebrating Easter, are invited during Easter worship services to call on residents to stay in their homes and participate in holiday worship services remotely, including through the internet, TV and radio.

2. All holiday worship services should be planned without the presence of visitors. Worship services are held by spiritual personnel within the scope of their duties, refraining as much as possible from performing religious rituals that involve direct contact.

3. Recognising that the premises of religious organisations (places of worship) are public places and are not closed to visitors, restrictions and rules on social (physical) distancing apply directly to religious organisations. The order does not set a concrete number of persons who may be present in publicly accessible places, including the premises of religious organisations. This means that everyone who is in the premises of religious organisations must observe two-metre social (physical) distancing. This applies both to spiritual personnel holding a worship service, to individual visitors to places of worship, and to other persons, such as those creating a video/audio live-stream of a worship service. Therefore religious organisations have a duty to ensure that visitors can observe a two-metre distance in any place of the house of worship, including when entering it. The maximum recommended number of visitors who may be in a place of worship at the same time is 25 persons, not counting spiritual and serving personnel.

4. Religious organisations ensure the availability of hand disinfectant at the entrance to the place of worship, inviting visitors to use face masks.

5. Religious organisations cooperate with the State Police and other institutions to ensure public order and epidemiological requirements.

Thus everyone is strongly invited to stay at home and not visit places of worship during Easter worship services, in order to care for public health safety and reduce the risk of infection for themselves and other people.

The Minister of Justice highly appreciates the active involvement of representatives of religious organisations in explaining the introduced safety measures and encouraging believers to “stay at home”, refraining as much as possible from visiting public places, including places of worship, and instead setting aside time for religious activity in their homes.

J. Bordans invites all congregations to publicly inform congregation members about the new restrictions and the need to observe two-metre distancing, ensuring maximum caution.

 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CHRIST IS RISEN!