Given Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf’s May 4 announcement regarding changes to COVID-19 mitigation efforts in the state, Bishop David Zubik announced effective Memorial Day, May 31, and until further notice, all Diocese of Pittsburgh churches may be open at 100% seating capacity.

In accordance with state orders, masks must continue to be worn inside churches and parish buildings.

As previously announced, priests, deacons, readers and cantors may remove their masks when speaking or singing while maintaining a social distance from others.

Parishes will continue to follow local, state and federal guidelines for cleaning and sanitizing protocols, which currently advise that buildings should be cleaned once a day.

As previously stated, summer festivals and other nonliturgical events are permitted, as long as all current COVID-19 protocols are followed.