Tucson Diocese Closes Churches For 1 Month Amid Coronavirus Surge

TUCSON, AZ — Tucson churchgoers won't be able to step inside for mass until February, according to the Diocese of Tucson.

The diocese, which houses approximately 78 Catholic parishes, announced the change late Monday and it will go into effect starting Friday. Church doors will remain closed until at least Feb. 5 with a review taking place the week of Feb. 1.

"Unlike the period of time early in the pandemic, when in-person worship was initially suspended, we now can see victory on the horizon," Tucson Bishop Edward J. Weisenburger said in a statement. "A period of four weeks should make a considerable difference in the availability of the Covid vaccine for those most at risk. Hopefully it also will help us to evaluate more accurately the anticipated post-Christmas spike in infections and resulting hospitalizations."

Under the temporary policy, indoor masses will be canceled, though exceptions will be made in special circumstances, the bishop said. Masses can be celebrated outdoors with safety protocols in place and online. Funerals and weddings can take place indoors but will be limited to 25 people or less; baptisms will be limited to a maximum of 10 people. No gatherings before or after these events will be allowed on church property.

Parish offices will also be closed to the public during this time, according to the statement.

The announcement comes as Pima County, like the rest of Arizona, experiences a surge in new coronavirus cases. The county reported 659 cases and 5 deaths from the virus on Wednesday. The state recorded 7,206 and 127, respectively.

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Johns Hopkins University show that Arizona currently has the highest rate of coronavirus spread in the country — and in the world.