Dear brothers and sisters in the Archdiocese of Tokyo:

RE : RESTRICTIONS ON CHURCH ACTIVITIES
DUE TO COVID-19 COUNTERMEASURES FROM MARCH 2023

The Archdiocese of Tokyo made its first official announcement concerning the countermeasures against COVID-19 on January 30, 2020. Since then, we have managed to address the matter depending on the situation through various stages of precautionary measures. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all the priests and faithful who have supported our countermeasures in the Church for more than three years. I reiterate my heartfelt thanks to the many people for your patient endurance despite all the inconveniences and for your constant cooperation.

Since the overall situation has been improving, the government has announced its decision to leave it up to individuals whether to wear masks in most situations starting March 13, and that it will gradually ease general measures.

In the Archdiocese of Tokyo, we have already practiced the optional wearing of face masks while outdoors. However, from the evening Mass celebrating the second Sunday of Lent on the eve of March 5, the wearing of face masks inside the Church and in church buildings will also be made optional.

Since the actual circumstance of each person, such as health condition, age, and family situation may vary from one another, let us please respect each other’s decisions on the matter.

Please be informed that our COVID-19 countermeasures will basically continue for the time being. From the eve of March 5, please refer to the attached document “(REVISED) STAGE 2 PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES AS OF JUNE 25, 2022” which will be our fundamental guideline to determine the appropriate response according to the situation of the parish.

As we journey from Lent to Easter, we also move gradually to see light through the darkness. Trusting in the promise of the Lord Jesus, “I will be with you until the end of the world,” let us walk together, caring for each other and supporting one another.

Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi, SVD
Archbishop of Tokyo

<REFERENCE> 

(REVISED) STAGE 2 PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES AS OF JUNE 25, 2022

 1:  Inside the Church, please bear in mind to keep a certain distance from each other, while providing adequate ventilation, let us take care not to exceed the usual capacity and thus avoid getting crowded. However, if proper ventilation cannot be maintained due to the structure of the church building, kindly pay special attention to keeping a sufficient distance in front and back, and it would be necessary to limit the number of people who can enter the Church.

 2:  For the elderly and those with chronic illness, those who worry about being exposed to the virus, as well as those who are not feeling well such as with high fever, kindly pray at home. For families having some concerns or anxieties, kindly pray at home.

Please take note that those who cannot attend the Holy Mass due to physical condition are dispensed from their obligation to attend Sunday Masses.

 3:  As we had been doing since the beginning from 31st January 2020, let us continue to take proper precautionary measures against COVID-19 such as hand disinfection, providing sufficient ventilation. Wearing a face mask will be optional. and for the time being with everyone wearing face masks while inside the church building.

 4:  During the Holy Mass and in other gatherings, please refrain from singing all together. In case there is a wide space with adequate ventilation, reciting prayers all together, singing of hymns by a choir or by a cantor is possible, but please make sure to wear face masks. It is recommended that everyone wear a face mask when singing together at mass or at other church gatherings. It is optional to wear a face mask when reciting together as in prayers, or at times when only the choir is singing.

 5:  In the meantime, there will be no offertory procession at the Holy Mass. Also, for the time being, please receive Holy Communion by hand, and everyone must sanitize their hands immediately before reception. For those who would like to receive Holy Communion by mouth, in order to avoid infecting other people with the fingers of the priest during distribution, kindly consult the parish priest beforehand.

 6:  Except for the Holy Mass, all activities where people meet face-to-face such as meetings, assemblies, gatherings, study groups among others should be carried out in the parish if the number of people does not exceed the capacity of the venue and adequate ventilation is carefully considered. But for the moment, please refrain from events that involve eating and drinking.

Note:  For priests and extraordinary ministers distributing the sacred host, kindly make sure that hands are disinfected and a face mask is worn. The parish priest may ask some parishioners to serve as “extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion” should he find it necessary. 

Please wear a face mask regardless of whether you are fully vaccinated or not. Face shields are not a substitute for face masks. Even if you are using a face shield, please use also a face mask with it. Moreover, wearing non-woven masks is recommended.