July 20, 2020 e.v.

This announcement applies only to National Sections and local bodies in the countries managed directly by International Headquarters. The Grand Lodges will continue to issue their own policies and directives regarding OTO activities within their respective jurisdictions.

Based on the statistics and recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO) regarding the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), as of today IHQ has modified the restrictions on OTO activities implemented on March 20, 2020 e.v. for Europe, Canada, Japan, and New Zealand. The originally-issued restrictions (including suspension of initiations and masses) will remain in effect for Africa, South America, Central America, and Mexico until further notice.

Notwithstanding the above, local bodies in all countries shall continue to observe all applicable local, regional, and national government directives regarding gatherings, curfews, and travel.

The health and safety of our members should always be a priority when organizing physical OTO activities such as initiations, masses, and classes. The following instructions shall be implemented when organizing OTO events:

• No gatherings of more than 50 persons are allowed.
• Furthermore, attendance at events shall be limited so as to ensure that a minimum of one meter of physical distance may be maintained between attendees at all times within the temple or meeting space.
• No open events (attended by non-members) are permitted, including public masses. Exceptions to this rule may be granted by the Supreme Council where warranted.
• Members are prohibited from attending any meeting if they are sick or experiencing symptoms that could impact fellow members.
• Traveling between countries in order to attend events is discouraged.
• Temples and meeting spaces should be well-ventilated with fresh, outside air (not merely fans circulating inside air).
• Fixtures and surfaces including temple furniture and implements, counter tops, tables, chairs, door knobs, light switches, faucets, flush handles, and other items likely to be touched should be thoroughly sanitized before each event and periodically throughout use.
• Hand sanitizer should be made available at the entrance of the temple or meeting space, and in the restroom and kitchen areas.
• Members should wash their hands before and after eating, and before returning to a temple or meeting place, including any breaks.
• Physical contact between members should be avoided.
• Masks or face coverings shall be worn where required by local authorities or where local conditions warrant, and may be required at the discretion of the local body master.

Modifications to official rituals (including masses and initiations) are authorized as necessary to comply with these instructions. In particular:

• The use of shared utensils and implements is not permitted.
• Direct physical contact between participants in a ritual should be avoided except as absolutely necessary. This may mean it is not possible to perform initiations of every degree, depending on the circumstances.
• Temple furniture, equipment, and implements shall be sanitized before each use (and before each candidate in initiations).

In the Gnostic Mass:

• The paten shall contain a single cake of light for the priest's consumption only.
• The cakes of light for the people's communion shall be placed on the altar or a nearby table, with the cakes covered or individually wrapped.
• Wine for the people's communion shall be distributed in individual glasses and kept covered until used by each communicant.
• Cakes and wine should not be handed directly to communicants; rather, the elements should be placed on a table or stand so that communicants can take and uncover them without violating social distancing requirements.

We continue to endorse the WHO recommendations to practice good hygiene and protect yourself against infection by washing your hands frequently with soap or alcohol-based sanitizer, maintaining distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing, and avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth. If you become sick, please seek medical attention quickly.

For further useful recommendations, please see: WHO coronavirus disease (COVID-19) advice for the public.