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SALT LAKE CITY — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has again updated its guidelines for Utah church attendance in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, officials announced on Thursday.
In a letter to stake presidents and other local leaders on Wednesday, the Utah Area Presidency replaced its most recent November guidelines with guidelines previously issued in September.
"Infection rates in Utah remain high, slowing our ability to return to normal Church meetings and activities," the letter read.
The area presidency asked leaders to consult with other top church leaders and create a plan for returning to church meetings and activities with proper safety protocols in place, i.e. operating at a limited capacity, social distancing, mask-wearing and sanitization.
Under the updated guidelines, young single adult congregations, which have not gathered in person for the second hour of church since November, will be permitted to hold in-person service once again. In-person meetings can only be held if church facilities are large enough to accommodate social distancing measures and if other health precautions are taken.
Stake presidents and other leaders were asked to stay informed on local COVID-19 transmission rates in their area, as it varies from place to place.
Broadcast services should still be offered and attendance for in-person services should be limited. In family wards, the second-hour should be held virtually.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, the church has encouraged its members to follow public health guidelines in order to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.
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