ARCHBISHOP OF MIAMI
Office of the Archbishop

Given the improvement in the positivity rates in the three counties of our Archdiocese, we are making some changes in our protocols. Hopefully, further relaxation will occur in future weeks; however, if the numbers go in the opposite direction, we may have to reinstate at some of these protocols.

Effective the weekend of November 6/7, the following adaptions of our COVID protocols for Mass are approved.

• Mask usage: we ask that the unvaccinated still wear their masks; for the vaccinated, masks are optional.
• Social distance (minimum 6 feet between households) will continue to be practiced — at least, for the time being.
• Holy water fonts should remain empty.
• No invitation to exchange “the Sign of Peace”.
• Use of hand sanitizer should continue to be made available. Priests and others who distribute Holy Communion should sanitize their hands.
• Use of worship aids (song sheets, missalettes, hymnals) is permitted.
• Choirs: unvaccinated should continue to wear masks; optional for those vaccinated. Choirs should carefully practice required social distancing when rehearsing or singing in Church.
• Bulletin or pulpit announcement or signage should encourage use of masks for the unvaccinated; however, no checking of vaccination status is needed or advised.

The above applies to the COVID regulations in church only.

Parish meetings and religious education classes should continue to use masks and social distance for the time being.

Proposed changes in schools will be provided separately once all vaccination data is received from the schools.

We continue to encourage all to be vaccinated as this offers the best way of putting this pandemic behind us.

9401 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami Shores, Florida 33138
Telephone: 305-762-1233  Facsimile: 305-757-3947