GATHERINGS of worship will not take place in the Diocese of Winchester as the coronavirus pandemic continues.

New advice issued by the diocese follows a statement made by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York about the Church of England’s response to the Government announcement of unprecedented peacetime measures to try to control the spread of the virus, with restrictions on public gatherings, transport and working.

Now parishioners in area are being told that church buildings will remain open where possible, “reflecting the fact that the Church continues to pray.

“Although public gatherings for worship will not be taking place in the immediate future,” a letter from the Bishop of Winchester The Right Reverend Tim Dakin and his team.

It continues: “Churches that are able to will make available electronic resources to help others participate in worship, whether through live-streaming or pre-recorded video/audio, or the publication of resources.”

In the next few days, the Cathedral will begin live-streaming of prayer and worship.

“We will pray for and give generously of our time and money to assist those most in need, remembering not only the fearful, sick and grieving, but also those that work in hospitals, emergency services, logistics and supply chains – the list of key services is limited only by our capacity to imagine those whose lives are most affected.

“We will focus our prayers during a Day of Prayer and Action, this coming Sunday, accepting the invitation, wherever we may be, to light a candle of hope.”

Weddings and funerals may also take place, with a small group present and precautions to reduce the risk of infection.

The diocese has also said that all non-essential church meets have been postponed, and essential meetings will only take place with appropriate precautions.

Youth and children activities run with schools will follow school advice, but church-run activities should be treated as social activities or meetings for prayer and worship, and therefore suspended.