the reopening of places of worship is being prepared in the North Franche-Comté

The Council of State ordered the reopening of places of worship on May 18. A decree published in the Official Journal on the night of May 22 to 23 authorizes the resumption of religious ceremonies now, but following strict rules taken by Christophe Castaner and those in charge of worship, during a meeting.

“If the objective of a generalized resumption of religious ceremonies remains on June 3, it will thus be possible to celebrate again, gradually, services” from the publication of the decree, explains the Interior Ministry. In the meantime, the different religious leaders organize themselves to welcome the public again.

An entrance and an exit to avoid crowds

The news is “a great relief“, for Ali Sahab president of the association of Muslims of the Territory of Belfort. To ensure the safety of the faithful,”the Mosque will be disinfected by professionals“, he explains.” _Social distancing measures will be respected_, there will be an entrance and an exit to avoid crowds. Instructions will be posted at the entrance to the mosque.“

The campaign of awareness of future instructions has started since the beginning of the month of Ramadan, ie at the end of April. “We were at the mosque two days a week to distribute food packages. During these distributions the volunteers also explain how the recovery will unfold “, Ali Sahab recounts.

Not all churches will be able to open

“_Only the churches which make it possible to set up sanitary devices will be able to reopen”, specifies Pierre Guilbert, deacon and diocesan responsible for the liturgy of the diocese of Belfort Montbéliard. He hopes that the faithful will be able to attend the ceremonies again, for the weekend of Pentecost., May 30 and 31.

“Just like what is happening in stores, there will be measures put in place in churches so that people do not cross paths, with an entrance different from the exit “, he explains. Inside buildings, it provides “the materialization of places that must be left free to ensure social distancing“.

The mask will be compulsory for everyoneincluding the priest and the churches will be disinfected after each celebration.

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