Australians are back in lockdown and that means no in-person church services.
But don't get any clever ideas with your livestream worship, because there is no singing allowed!
Even in an almost empty building, the state of New South Wales has restricted singing during livestream church services, according to an official email to church leaders obtained by Christian newspaper Eternity.
In the email, sent on June 28, "advice" was given to the religious community.
Church members were advised that singing is NOT permitted, even during livestreams…
Does that mean the folks watching from home shouldn't sing either, so they don't put other members in their household at risk? 😬
Churches are also being told that service leaders still need to wear masks while live-streaming, but are allowed to remove the mask to "deliver a speech for accessibility reasons" like speaking to deaf viewers.
Thanks, New South Wales Ministry of Health, very kind of you. 🙄
"As soon as they have finished their speech, the service leader should put their face mask back on."
The email also reminds members of the Greater Sydney Stay-at-Home order in effect.
Face masks are mandatory in non-residential settings (even for children), drinking while standing indoors is not allowed, dancing is forbidden at weddings and venues, and outdoor events will be limited to 50% seated capacity.
No singing, no dancing...
