St Mary's Church in Dubai to reopen on Monday

Churchgoers must register online via the church website to attend Mass

St Mary’s Church in Oud Metha, Dubai, is asking worshippers to register online before attending services. Pawan Singh / The National

St Mary’s Catholic Church in the Oud Metha district of Dubai will reopen on Monday, operating at 30 per cent capacity.

The announcement was made on the church website more than 10 months after it closed its doors to curb the spread of Covid-19.

Daily in-person services have been scheduled, at 6.30am and 7pm, and the church will remain closed at all other times, parish priest Fr Lennie Connully said.

“We have received permission from [the Community Development Authority] to reopen our church for Holy Mass with some conditions and guidelines,” he said.

We hope more concessions from the authorities will follow when we conduct ourselves well and prove our efficiency in crowd management

“We are allowed to have two Masses.

“Senior citizens above 60 years old and children below 12 years are discouraged from attending.”

Both services will be live-streamed for members who are unable to attend in person.

Worshippers must register online to reserve their spot and must receive confirmation from the church before arriving at the venue.

Those registered for Mass were also advised to report to the church 30 minutes before service through gate two for thermal scanning.

Worshippers must have the Al Hosn application on their mobile phones.

They must also wear face masks and gloves throughout the service, after which they must leave immediately through gate one or three.

Seats will be placed two metres apart to ensure physical distancing is maintained.

Volunteers will be on site to help people and remind them of the health and safety rules.

Holy communion will not be distributed during the Mass and visiting or veneration at the grotto or other areas of the church or its compound, before or after the Mass, will be prohibited.

The canteen and toilets will remain closed, and eating and drinking within the church premises is strictly prohibited.