The Archdiocese of Washington has revised its guidelines on public Mass attendance, easing some restrictions on churchgoers beginning Friday, May 28, at 5 p.m.

“Churches and most venues in the District of Columbia and all five Maryland counties in the archdiocese are now no longer subject to governmental capacity or social distancing limits given the dramatically decreased level of coronavirus in the community following increasing numbers of vaccinated persons,” Father Daniel B. Carson, the archdiocesan Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia, wrote in a May 27 letter emailed to all priests of the archdiocese.

He told priests that “masks will not be required in any jurisdiction of any person inside churches or most other venues as of 5 p.m. Friday, May 28. Masks are recommended, but not required, for unvaccinated persons inside churches. Masks are still required in all jurisdictions for all persons in schools and childcare facilities.”

The new guidelines ease restrictions first established in May 2020, revised in October 2020, and modified last week. These guidelines apply to all jurisdictions in the Archdiocese of Washington: the District of Columbia and the surrounding five Maryland counties – Montgomery, Prince George’s, Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s.

In addition to no capacity limits on the number of people who may attend Mass and not requiring churchgoers to wear a mask, other guidelines include:

• The use of masks by vaccinated and non-vaccinated ordinary and extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion while distributing Holy Communion is still required during the distribution.

• Social distancing is still required between individuals from separate households, although the social distancing space can be reduced from six feet to three feet.

• Baptismal fonts and holy water stoups may be used, but hand sanitizer must be available in close proximity to permit the cleansing of hands.

• Hard copy bulletins and other printed liturgical materials may be used.

Father Carson also announced guidelines for the celebration of Mass have been eased, allowing for entrance and recessional processions; restoring the offertory procession of the gifts; restoring the Sign of Peace while avoiding handshaking; and allowing the use of a cantor, organist or an ensemble of singers no greater than four persons, but the ensemble must maintain enhanced social distancing (more than three feet) from each other and be as separate as possible from the congregation.

Father Carson did note that “distribution of the Precious Blood remains suspended until further notice,” meaning Holy Communion will only be distributed under one species.

The new guidelines for attendance and the celebration of Mass also apply to other parish liturgical events such as weddings, funerals and Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament.

While these guidelines apply to all parts of the archdiocese, individual parishes may decide to keep distancing, masking, or other precautions in place, as well as continue live-streaming their Masses.  

Father Carson, in his letter to priests, noted that the guidelines were revised following recent executive orders by Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan and D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and local health departments.

The dispensation issued by Cardinal Wilton Gregory from the obligation to attend Mass still remains in effect.

As of May 27, in Maryland 43.66 percent of the population has been fully vaccinated. In January, the seven-day average daily rate of new cases of COVID-19 in the state was slightly more than 3,000 persons. As of May 27, the seven-day average daily rate of new cases of COVID-19 is 345 persons.

In the District of Columbia, 41.99 percent of the population has been fully vaccinated. In January, the seven-day average daily rate of new cases of COVID-19 in Washington was about 320 persons. As of May 27, the seven-day average daily rate of new cases of COVID-19 is 38 persons.

The CDC reports that nationwide 62 percent of all adults have had at least one vaccination.

For more information on the COVID-19 guidelines, visit adw.org/coronavirus. Livestreamed Mass are online adw.org/live-streamed-masses-and-prayers/