Rosh Hashanah in the shadow of coronavirus: Outline for prayer services
In open spaces, an unlimited number of people can pray in capsules of 20.
By JERUSALEM POST STAFFSPREADING PRAYER and love from the Western Wall.(photo credit: REUTERS)
The following is a special outline for High Holy Day prayers, approved by the government:In open areas: Capsules of up to 20 people.In closed structures:Red zones: Prayer shall be permitted in closed structures in groups of up to 10 people. The permitted number of groups in a closed area shall be a function of the number of entrances to the structure: The first two entrances multiplied by three each, and each additional entrance multiplied by two – on condition that the ratio of one person per four square meters of space is maintained.For example, in a house of prayer in a red zone that is 250 sq.m. in size and has two entrances, it will be possible to pray in six capsules of 10 people each. Ten people in each capsule and two entrances times three yields 60 people for the structure, while maintaining the ratio of one person per four sq.m. of space.In a structure of 500 sq.m. with five entrances, 12 capsules of 10 people each shall be permitted to pray (2 entrances times 3 + 3 entrances times 2). In a structure of 70 sq.m. with one entrance, one capsule of 10 people shall be permitted to pray due to the limitations of the place, since two capsules require 80 sq.m. of space.In all other zones: Prayer shall be permitted in groups of up to 25 people. The permitted number of groups in a closed space shall be double the number of entrances to the structure, again on condition that the ratio of one person per four sq.m. of space is maintained.For example, a house of prayer in a yellow area that is 400 sq.m. in size and has two entrance doors shall be permitted to have four capsules of 25 people each: 25 people in each capsule and two entrances multiplied by two capsules yields 100 people in the structure, as long as they maintain the ratio of one person per four sq.m. of space.
