Singing banned at crem due to c-19 risk

SINGING has been banned at a crematorium in Cardiff due to the coronavirus and the risk of transmission.

Thornhill Crematorium has today issued a ban on singing in its chapels due to Covid-19.

While the cemetery and crematorium are run by Cardiff council, the ban follows guidance from the Welsh Government.

The guidance was issued on how safely to reopen places of worship, including churches, mosques and synagogues.

Coronavirus can be transmitted via droplets in the air, which singing generates. Even if wearing a face mask, the risk of transmission from singing is still deemed too high.

The Welsh Government guidance states: “We recognise the importance of music and singing in worship, religious and belief ceremonies.

“However, activities such as singing, chanting, shouting and playing of wind instruments and organs which require air to be pushed through the mechanism, should be specifically avoided.

“This is because there is a possible additional risk of infection in environments where individuals are singing or chanting as a group, and this applies even if social distancing is being observed, or face coverings are used.”

The restrictions apply to ceremonies both indoors and outdoors.

However, singing is allowed if it is “essential”, but only one person at a time.

Singers should consider physical distancing and using screens to protect the audience.

The guidance states: “Where it is an essential part of the worship or ceremony, only one individual should be permitted to sing or chant, and the use of plexi-glass screens and physical distancing should be considered to protect others.

“It is possible for more than one individual to sing or chant over the course of a ceremony but not at the same time.

“Each individual should make separate arrangements to protect from transmission of the virus, for example separate plexi-screens or cleaning between each individual’s use.”

Thornhill cemetery opened in 1953 and covers 40 acres of north Cardiff.

Cardiff council was approached for comment.