The Prime Minister has announced that places of worship in England can reopen for prayer and services, including weddings with a maximum of 30 people, from 4th July.

Boris Johnson, speaking to the House of Commons on Tuesday said: ”

“I know many have mourned the closure of places of worship, and this year Easter, Passover and Eid all occurred during the lockdown.

“So I’m delighted that places of worship will be able to reopen for prayer and services, including weddings with a maximum of 30 people, all subject to social distancing.”

Thirty people are allowed at weddings, with numbers at services expected to be dependent on building size.

Mr Johnson also reduced the social distancing rule from two metres to “one metre plus” and made social contact advice “guidance” rather than legislation, allowing people from two households of any size to meet up indoors and outdoors from 4th July

The Bishop of London, Sarah Mullally, who also leads the Church of England’s Recovery Group, welcomed the announcement on the reopening of churches. She said: “The last three months have been an extraordinary time – the first period without public worship and the sacraments in England in more than 800 years.

“There will be real joy as we begin to come together again – if even at a physical distance – but I also know that many will be understandably cautious at this news”.

“We will not be returning to normality overnight – this is the next step on a journey. We’ve been planning carefully, making detailed advice available for parishes to enable them to prepare to hold services when it is safe and practical to do so. It is important to say that the change in Government guidance is permissive, not prescriptive.”

As of last Monday, Churches were permitted to open for private prayer.

Along with places of worship; pubs, restaurants, hairdressers, outdoor gyms, playgrounds, cinemas, museums, galleries, theme parks and arcades, as well as libraries, social clubs and community centres will be allowed to resume on that date