Keeping safe and open

Thank you all for helping us to ensure that we continue to stay safe and for our churches to remain open.

We are pleased to advise that effective 28 May 2021, the density quotient for places of worship will be lifted. This is good news for all our churches as it means up to 200 people may gather at any one time at Our Lady of Good Counsel, Our Lady of Victories, All Hallows and Our Holy Redeemer churches and 250 people at Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Church.

Record keeping continues to be an important tool for helping all Victorians stay safe and for our churches to stay open. It is now mandatory for all visitors to places of worship to electronically check in using the Victorian Government QR Code Services.

We encourage you to download the Services Victoria application on to your mobile phone or tablet device by following the instructions on the Services Victoria website. We recommend that you open this website on the mobile phone or tablet you will be using to download the application on.

QR codes are unique to each venue. Copies of the QR code for each church are displayed in the foyers of the church and on glass surfaces.

To use the QR code, turn on your mobile or tablet, open your camera and hover the camera over the QR code. A website link will drop down from the top of your screen. Tap on the link and the Victoria Safe app will open. From here you will be able to add your name and contact details. You will be given the option to save the details. If you answer yes to this, the next time you arrive at that particular venue and scan the QR code, it will remember your details, you can then just click on “check into this location”.

If you are not able to use the QR code, please ask the Sacristan or those assisting for assistance.

We ask that you arrive for Mass at least 20 minutes before the celebration to allow time to check in and to assist fellow parishioners with any assistance they require to check in electronically.

All check in details are held by the Victorian Government and are used for contact tracing purposes only. To read more about QR code check ins, visit the Coronavirus Victoria website or the frequently asked questions site.

The wearing of face masks continues to be recommended when you are at a gathering where you are not able to maintain 1.5 metres distance from other people.

Your patience and support is very much appreciated as we, together, do our part to keep our churches open.

By Kate Baines