Not all places of worship are equipped to open

sir – In the debate on reopening churches (Letters, June 3) one key point is missed, which is that one cannot open just the churches.

To ensure equality, the reopening would have to apply to all places of worship – and while most Anglican churches have fairly small congregations (and therefore wouldn’t have too much of a problem with rules on social distancing and cleaning), the same cannot be said for mosques and temples. This is especially true of inner-city buildings, where hundreds of people might gather.

Opening them up too soon could be a disaster.

Annie Wynter-crofts

Street, Somerset

sir – The guidance from my diocese for churches looking to reopen runs to over 30 pages of instructions on cleaning procedures and materials and a risk assessment. Shops will have workers on hand and cathedrals will have cleaners available, with a budget for the specific materials needed for ancient fixtures and fittings. However, as a church warden, a volunteer, I find that this is a far too onerous task.

For our elderly volunteers the cleaning procedures required to protect our (mostly elderly) congregation must be a pipe dream.

Nick Vaughan

Longtown, Herefordshire

sir – As a frequent visitor to Westminster Cathedral, I have long thought that it could well have remained open for private contemplation – limited to individuals or two people together.

The cathedral already has door stewards, and the existing entrances each side of the main door could easily have been designated In and Out.

Jacqueline Castles

London W2