Catholics in the City of Philadelphia got an unexpected surprise as restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic were lifted for all churches on Wednesday, June 2.
Protocols such as frequent building sanitation, social distancing and capacity limits in churches were first put in place in March 2020. As of last week their removal in Philadelphia had been expected on June 11.
Wednesday’s action by the city followed a similar new policy in suburban Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties that went into effect on Monday, May 31.
Now all churches in the Philadelphia Archdiocese may remove the ropes between pews – allowing for full capacity and close proximity — and no longer need teams of volunteers to clean high-touch surfaces as soon as this weekend’s Masses, June 5-6, the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ.