Insofar as health officials of the State of North Dakota have changed the risk for transmission of COVID-19 to low on May 29th, it is now possible to reduce the restrictiveness of some of the directives which came into effect on May 4.

• Communion may be given on the tongue.
• Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion may be used, but only insofar as necessary.  With smaller numbers attending Mass, and since communion is not distributed from the chalice, in most places their service will not yet be necessary.
• Masks are still highly recommended as a measure to protect others, but they may not be required.
• Missalettes, or books with readings in them, may at the discretion of the pastor, be returned to the pews.
• Congregational singing and choir singing is still to be avoided, and hymnals should not be returned to the pews.
• Social gatherings may be held outside of Mass, but state health recommendations for social distancing should be maintained.
• It is appropriate to encourage the faithful who are not at higher risk from COVID-19 to return to Mass, even though the dispensation from the Sunday obligation still remains in effect.
• Based on local conditions, Pastors are given discretion to admit additional persons into the church for Mass.  Social distancing should still be practiced insofar as possible.

Previous directives not modified in this memorandum remain in effect.  If a local community experiences an outbreak, please be prepared to return to earlier restrictions.  The link to the “ND Smart Restart” document can be found on www.fargodiocese.org/covid-19.