Para saudara, saya mendapat email dari Keuskupan Agung Sydney dan Keuskupan Wollongong. Belum ada kepastian tentang kapan Gereja akan dibuka, tetapi ada kabar baik. Yaitu bahwa the Premier recognised that for people of faith worship is more like an essential service than a recreation. Belum ada tanggal, tetapi diberikan informasi sebagai berikut:
STAGE ONE – WHEN 70% ARE VACCINATED – ESTIMATED DATE 11 OCTOBER
Pada tahap ini, Archbishop memutuskan agar “we will patiently wait the estimated two further weeks until we reach 80% fully vaccinated before re-opening our churches to the public, and conducting public Masses”. Namun Pastor yang sudah fully vacinated bisa melayani misa privat seperti babtis, berkat rumah, perkawinan dan lain-lain tetapi dengan persyaratan yang ketat yaitu semua yang hadir harus sudah fully vaccinated dan dengan protokol kesehatan seperti memakai mask dan social distancing.
STAGE TWO – WHEN 80% ARE FULLY VACCINATED – ESTIMATED DATE 25 OCTOBER
Selanjutnya, Bapa Uskup Agung menulis, “At 80% fully vaccinated we will open our churches and ceremonies to “mixed” congregations (fully vaccinated, partially vaccinated and as yet unvaccinated); the 4 sqm rule will apply, and masks must be worn indoors. We will not be required to check a person’s vaccination status. We continue to urge everyone to be vaccinated, and so to reduce their risk of serious illness or even death. We will do all that is reasonably possible to keep safe everyone who comes to church: there will be good ventilation, social distancing, hand sanitising, no congregational singing, etc. People who are especially vulnerable, who are vaccinated but anxious about mixing with the unvaccinated, or who are unvaccinated and do not want to risk contact with others, are free to remain at home and live-streaming of Masses from the cathedral and some parishes will continue.
Jadi pada setelah 80% kita sudah bisa misa dengan 4 sqm rule apply namun juga masih diperbolehkan misa dengan streaming. Maka Dewan CIC akan berkumpul untuk memutuskan apakah masih tetap mau misa streaming atau sudah akan misa di Gereja tetapi dengan rule yang kita semua tahu, tidak mudah alias kikrik. Mohon juga dipertimbangkan bahwa umat kita berasal dari tempat yang berjauhan.
STAGE THREE – WHEN 90% ARE EXPECTED TO BE FULLY VACCINATED – 1 DECEMBER 2021 – “THE NEW NORMAL”
The Government has advised that from 1 December there will be no difference between the Covid safety requirements for all NSW citizens, whether fully vaccinated, partially vaccinated or unvaccinated. The key requirement for churches will be the 2sqm rule at all indoor religious gatherings, including weddings and funerals. There will be no limit on the numbers at outdoor events, and so outdoor Masses will be an option. Covid Safe plans will be required for outdoor events with more than 1,000 people. At weddings, dancing will be permitted, as well as eating and drinking while standing up.
Masks will not be required inside a church (though some people may wish to wear a mask for added protection).
Demikian para saudara, pengumuman tentang easing restriction. Chaplain anda tentu sudah fully vaccinated dengan pfizer. Terimakasih untuk umat yang membantu Chaplain mendapatkan vaccine sejak bulan Juli, karena tidak mudah untuk orang yang berstatus visa temporary.
Chaplain siap melayani umat asalkan sesuai aturan.
Salam dari Randwick,
Fr. Petrus Suroto MSC