The Roman Catholic churches under the archdiocese of Calcutta will allow a maximum of 10 to 50 people for services, prayer and Holy Mass depending on the size of each church from Monday, says a circular issued by the archbishop of Calcutta.

So far, a maximum of 10 people were allowed irrespective of the size of a church.

The circular, issued to all 65 churches under the archdiocese, says that because of the “prevailing Covid-19 pandemic situation, the annual Corpus Christi (Eucharistic) procession both at the Archdiocesan level and parish level, stands cancelled this year”.

“Instead, a three day Eucharistic Adoration will be organized in all the Parishes in the Archdiocese of Calcutta on November 19, 20 and 21, 2020, strictly observing all the guidelines.”

It says: “For Church Services/Prayer/Holy Mass: A maximum of 10 to 50 persons (maximum) depending on the size of the church to be adhered to strictly at any given time.”

“The number of people allowed in every church will depend on the availability of space. It could be a maximum of 10 or even 20 people also in a smaller church, because we want to be careful,” archbishop Thomas D’Souza told Metro. "The precondition is that all safety protocols have to be maintained,” he added.

“As Covid-19 cases are on the rise, all our priests, consecrated persons and lay faithful are requested to strictly follow the guidelines already issued by the central and state governments,” the circular says.

The circular says that the “Sacraments of Baptism and Marriage will be celebrated with a maximum of 20 persons present.”

It also says: “Those persons who are 65 years and above, or children below 10 years of age, or those suffering from chronic diabetes, high blood pressure or heart ailment etc are advised not to go to church.”

It mentions that the body temperature of every person will be checked at the entrance.

“There are relaxations but the situation is grim and we need to take all precautions. We had an online meeting with all parish priests last week where the importance of masks and safety protocols was reiterated,” said Father Dominic Gomes, the vicar-general of the archdiocese of Calcutta.