In addition to the four dioceses that initially announced the resumption of public Masses, other bishops have followed suit in the last several days.
In Fort Worth, Texas, Bishop Michael Olson announced on Wednesday that public Masses would resume in the diocese the weekend of May 2-3, and that parishes would again be offering the sacrament of Confession not just on an appointment basis.
Olson reiterated that he has dispensed Catholics from the Sunday obligation, instructed those feeling ill to refrain from attending Mass, and encouraged those over the age of 60 to attend a Mass exclusively for their age group if their parish offered one.
He also encouraged attendees to practice proper safeguards, such as wearing face coverings and maintaining social distancing. Once a church reached capacity with the faithful seated at proper distances from each other, overflow seating could be provided in a nearby hall or attendees could stand outside or follow a livestream of Mass from their cars, with Holy Communion offered to all those outside the church at a designated area, and not to be administered on the tongue.
The Diocese of Fargo will also resume public Masses on May 4, although with the Sunday obligation still dispensed. The elderly and those at high risk of COVID-19 "are strongly encouraged to stay home," according to a letter from Bishop John Folda.
Other common safeguards, such as the wearing of face masks, social distancing, and a limit on the overall number of Mass attendees, will be in force. Masses will not feature singing by the congregation or by choirs, and Holy Communion can only be received in the hand.
Bishop Richard Stika of Knoxville, Tennessee, said that public Masses are planned for "over Pentecost weekend and then daily following," but that the Sunday obligation will still be dispensed. Pentecost Sunday falls on May 31 in 2020.
Requirements for Mass attendees include wearing face masks, proper social distancing, and limits on the overall number of attendees.
In Oklahoma, Archbishop Paul Coakley of Oklahoma City and Bishop David Konderla of Tulsa said they were setting up a joint task force to establish a timeline for public Masses to resume and would announce a timeline on May 6.
Founded in 2009, the Thomistic Institute is part of the Pontifical Faculty of the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, D.C. It has already produced similar guidelines for the sacrament of Confession during the pandemic.