During this time of transition in the Province’s easing of health and safety restrictions, we are all asked to exercise respect, charity, and kindness with one another and to be conscious of the varying comfort levels of people especially in the following areas:

• The wearing of masks is no longer required by the Province but people are free to continue the use of face masks if they choose to. This applies to everyone including the clergy and to anyone serving in a liturgical capacity. Some municipalities may have a municipal face-covering bylaw or any other health and safety measure that is not in alignment with the approach of the Province. Please follow your municipality.

• There has been no mention of physical distancing in Step 2, in order to respect people’s personal space and comfort level, however, it would be a prudent practice to allow for some distance between people of different households.

• At this time, for the sign of peace, we are asked to exchange peace with those outside of your household with a bow or a nod and not by a handshake.

• In social settings, it would be charitable not to presume that others are comfortable to shake hands or to hug.

• People who have symptoms not related to a pre-existing condition should avoid going to the church or being in public as a courtesy to others.

• We are all encouraged to observe proper hand hygiene by sanitizing our hands at any of the sanitizer stations in the church or by washing our hands regularly with soap and water.

• We are encouraged to observe respiratory etiquette, such as coughing or sneezing into a bent elbow and the prompt disposal of any used tissues in trash cans.

• In Step 2, we are grateful that congregational singing may now resume in the Archdiocese.
  

We take this opportunity to thank all of you for your cooperation in observing the health and safety restrictions for almost two years now. At this time, we pace our walk together toward the easing of these restrictions with a lot of care and concern for the good of everyone.