Minister of Justice’s explanation of restrictions in churches 30.03.2020

Link to the Ministry of Justice here

On Monday, 30 March, amendments to Cabinet Order No. 103 of 12 March 2020 “On Declaration of the Emergency Situation” enter into force, strengthening the previously introduced restrictions by also prohibiting any private events, except for holding funeral ceremonies outdoors, if mutual two-metre distance between persons and other epidemiological safety rules are observed.

Regarding the activity of religious organisations, Minister of Justice Janis Bordans points out that the order states that religious activities carried out by gathering are prohibited. However, holding a worship service by spiritual personnel within the scope of their duties, without gathering the congregation for it, is not considered a religious activity carried out by gathering, and therefore those activities are permitted.

Minister of Justice Janis Bordans: “This is the positive news in the emergency situation - worship services are not prohibited, but organised gathering for them is not allowed - physical presence, in order to care for public health safety. This does not mean that people have no opportunity to pray. This time we will do it by staying at home, in our families! In this way we will be united and will help doctors and nurses, border guards and police officers, and everyone who is currently fighting the spread of the Covid-19 virus.”

Taking into account that the premises of religious organisations (places of worship) are public places, the order’s provisions on distancing apply directly to religious organisations. At present the order does not specify a concrete number of persons who may be in public places, including places of religious activity; however, everyone must observe two-metre 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 live-stream of a worship service.

The Minister of Justice invites people to stay at home and, as far as possible, to use electronic means of communication for contact with places of worship and liturgical procedures, including following worship services live and online.

Minister of Justice Janis Bordans 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 inviting the use of remote forms of participation for religious activity. Likewise, the Minister of Justice invites all congregations to publicly inform members of the congregation about the new restrictions and the need to observe two-metre distancing, ensuring maximum caution.

Representatives of the Ministry of Justice will soon meet with representatives of religious organisations to discuss how Easter celebrations will take place in religious organisations.

Lana Maulina

Ministry of Justice

Communication and Technical Support Department

Public relations specialist