Since the beginning of the year the levels of coronavirus infection and deaths associated with it have been going up very quickly. This is a public health emergency. The advice from the government is to stay at home. After appropriate consultation the Chapter of the Cathedral has taken the decision to close for congregational (public) worship once more. Given the context we believe that this is not only the most responsible decision but also the safest. Many churches and cathedrals have already done this. We will continue to livestream the Sunday Choral Eucharist at 10.30am and have reintroduced online Evening Prayer on Sunday at 3.30pm. Also, the Cathedral will remain open for personal prayer on Wednesday to Saturday from 2pm to 4pm. This will be subject to a daily review. Hospitals, care homes, schools, supermarkets, those giving the vaccines and the bereaved have been in the news. Let us remember them particularly in our prayers and support them and others that we know in 'safe' ways. A longer statement will appear in our Monthly Update next week. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. John 1.5