The Archbishop of Miami, The Most. Rev. Thomas G. Wenski, said Floridians should enter the “new normal” brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic with caution, stating that social distancing must continue to be practiced.

Florida is among the cadre of states reopening their shuttered economies in phases. As of this writing, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that restaurants and non-essential businesses will reopen but operate at 25% capacity and hospitals may proceed with elective medical procedures.

“The ‘new normal’ will require continued social distances with the vulnerable urged to stay at home – at least until a vaccine is developed,” Archbishop Wenski recently told the Florida Catholic Tribune. “The strategy so far has successfully prevented hospitals from being overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients; however, COVID-19 will continue to infect many and affect us all until there is a vaccine.”

The prelate added that there will be changes in seat capacity as the archdiocese resumes its worship schedules. Houses of worship, however, were never closed during the outbreak, according to the archdiocese.

Parishioners’ safety is and remains the top priority in the supposed new normal.

“We are in process of determining what guidelines will be needed – for example, congregants will have to wear masks, collection basket will not be passed from hand to hand, size of the congregation will be limited, sick and vulnerable will be urged to stay home,” Archbishop Wenski said.

He said people must acknowledge that there is no such thing as “a return to normal” as most priests – especially those with underlying conditions – might not be able to return to ministry pre-pandemic. They will self-isolate to avoid exposure to the coronavirus, the prelate said.

For those seeking a source of faith during these unprecedented times, Archbishop Wenski recommended the Book of Psalms.

“[They] offer a wide range of prayers – from lamentation to expressions of great hope,” he said.