How do you pray in a pandemic? Places of worship changing the rules amid COVID surge
As the omicron variant continues to spread through South Florida and beyond, religious institutions are once again changing their policies to allow for safe worship.
The Archdiocese of Miami has announced that masks are now required at all 109 parishes. The faithful also can watch streamed services online.
Mary Agosta Ross, a spokeswoman for the Archdiocese, called the move “proactive” and said with the climbing COVID numbers, churches are also encouraging social distancing.
The highly contagious omicron variant has done a number on Florida, especially South Florida. For several weeks, new case records have been broken.
The state is nearing five million cases since the start of the pandemic. Florida passed four million cases on Dec. 29.
Aside from cases, COVID hospitalizations have been on the rise.
Rabbi Fred Klein, executive vice president of the Rabbinical Association of Greater Miami, said while rabbis have not met recently on the subject, many have started to require masks.
Unlike Catholic churches, synagogues run independently and make their own rules. Even as mask rules became more lax when the cases began to drop, many synagogues continued to stream their services.
Citing a high positivity rate of COVID-19 cases, Temple Israel of Greater Miami said that all services and events will be virtual until further notice.
“We hope you are safe and healthy in this (again) uncertain time,” the synagogue said in a note to congregants. “This is not the email we want to be writing to you this morning, but the COVID-19 surge has caused a significant change in the running of our synagogue.”
Here’s a look at what some Miami-Dade religious institutions are doing:
▪ Archdiocese of Miami: All Catholic churches are now requiring masks for Mass and other events. To check individual parishes and schools, visit https://www.miamiarch.org.
▪ Temple Beth Sholom: The temple, 4144 Chase Ave. in Miami Beach, announced that anyone entering the building is required to wear a mask. Anyone over 12 must also provide: proof of full vaccination including booster, if eligible, with the actual card or a picture of the card or a negative result from a PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before the event or proof of a positive PCR test taken between 14 and 90 days before the event. Services can also be viewed online. For more information, call 305-538-7231 or visit https://www.tbsmb.org/home20.
▪ Temple Beth Am: Masks must be worn at the temple, 5950 North Kendall Dr. in Pinecrest. The synagogue has suspended in-person services until further notice. Services can be viewed on livestream. For events, people must provide a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of the event or proof of full vaccination. For more information, call 305-667-6667 or visit https://www.tbam.org.
▪ Temple Israel of Greater Miami: The synagogue, 137 NE 19th St. in Miami, announced that it would be 100% virtual until further notice. Services can be viewed online. For more information, call 305-573-5900 or visit https://templeisraelofgreatermiami.shulcloud.com.
▪ First Miami Presbyterian Church: The church, 609 Brickell Ave. in Miami, has temporarily suspended in-person services because of the surge in COVID-19 cases. Digital services are available every Sunday. For more information, call 305-371-3439 or visit https://www.firstmiami.org.
This list will be updated.
