Bizarre new coronavirus rules in places of worship have left churchgoers up and down England baffled. Under new Plan B coronavirus rules, those attending showing up for their Sunday service or prayer groups will have to wear a face mask – but will bizarrely be allowed to take it off to sing.

       The strange exemption has caused confusion among churchgoers, as it has long been thought singing creates more risk as particles and projected further from the mouth.

       Any kind of singing is exempt from the rules - including if you are part of a choir, worship or performance.

       Presenters and guests on the BBC’s Sunday Morning Live noted how bizarre the exemption is, especially in comparison to rules earlier in the pandemic.

       Sean Fletcher pointed out that when anyone was singing on the BBC programme, they needed to be a whopping eight metres away from others according to the rules.

       Guest Paul Sinha, known for his appearances on The Chase, remarked that “it’s almost as though - pardon me for believing this - they’re making it up as they go along.”

       “There just doesn’t seem to be any scientific logic behind it.”

       He added: “None of it makes any sense.

       “You have to have scientific logic running through it to encourage people to comply, and this thing about singing, it’s not a hundred percent necessary even on a Sunday, to sing.

       “They’re just trying to keep everybody happy and making nobody happy in the process.”

       The Church of England have responded to the rules, saying: "You may want to consider wearing masks when singing.

       "We'd advise additional precautions should be considered."

       Downing Street officials said that there would have to be a “reasonable excuse” for using the singing exemption, stressing it cannot be applied to other situations.

       DON'T MISS

       Plan C Covid rules: Every measure explained in full [EXPLAINER]

       Keir Starmer says Labour WILL vote for vaccine passports [REPORT]

       Dr Susan Hopkins warns more Covid restrictions needed as Plan C looms [INSIGHT]

       They said if someone went into a supermarket, started singing and argued it meant they did not have to wear a mask it would not be allowed - despite initial confusion from officials on the point.

       The Prime Minister's official spokesman said of the supermarket example: "We were absolutely clear there is a reasonable excuse required for someone who is seeking to do that. Whilst it wouldn't be for me to say, I think it would be hard to justify.”

       The Prime Minister's official spokesman, when challenged over the apparent contradiction in the rules, said it was about “striking the right balance”.

       He added: “We recognise that whenever you're deciding which measures or restrictions to introduce, you do need to draw appropriate balance."

       Churches are also exempt from vaccine passports, even if a congregation has more than 500 people.

       It comes as scientists warn the new Omicron variant could cause an additional 25,000 to 75,000 deaths if harsher restrictions are not bought in soon.