When asked to cover shoulders they mean the upper arms as well - I have usually carried a sweater/lite jacket in my knapsack that i put over my shoulders when entering a church - as well short shorts are also frowned upon - As a matter of fact at the Vatican my husband was not allowed in with shorts that came to his knees - We ended up going to a nearby store a purchasing a cheap pair of long pants that he could pull over his shorts.

Carol Toronto