Updated advice for parishes (version 2) has been issued by the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales regarding coronavirus, as of 27th February 2020. See below:
At the time of writing, there are few cases in the UK and no evidence of a person to person transmitted outbreak within England and Wales. This may change. The guidance below is intended to be stepped up in case you may need it as the situation changes. At the time of writing we are not in a pandemic. Efforts in England and Wales are focused on containment of the virus and this advice is written for those circumstances. If this situation changes, detailed guidance will be produced. The guidance is kept under continuous review. More detailed guidance can be found on the Bishops' Conference website here. What is Coronavirus? A coronavirus, one of the family of viruses which caused the SARS (Serious Acute Respiratory Syndrome) outbreak in 2002-2003 across the world, though it is less severe than SARS. The virus is now called COVID-19. As a family of viruses, these viruses are fairly common, and can range from mild to very severe in effect. Typical symptoms of coronavirus include fever and a cough that may progress to a severe pneumonia causing shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. Most people who get coronavirus will have mild to moderate illness, a bit like flu. Generally coronavirus can cause more severe symptoms in people with weakened immune systems, older people, and those with long term conditions like diabetes, cancer and chronic lung disease. The death rate is low, typically at present around 2%, which is a little above the death rate for flu. But it has understandably caused concern because of the lack of information and because of myth. Some of the most important things Catholics can do would be to restate the facts accurately, reassure, counter prejudice against Chinese and other communities. Steps Local Parishes Can Take: Stage 1: Current status (very few cases in UK, no cases in local parishes) The key things for parishes to do are: 1. Ensure everyone maintains good hygiene especially at Mass and parish gatherings. The best way of protecting us from spread is for everyone to use universal good hygiene, which will effectively disrupt spread of the virus. Remember to:
Ensure good regular cleaning of surfaces lots of people touch regularly. 3. Ask everyone attending Mass to sanitise their hands as they come into church. 4. Ensure ministers of the Eucharist sanitise their hands before and after distributing communion (we should be doing this anyway as a matter of course.) This can be done by washing hands discreetly before proceeding to the sanctuary or using good quality hand gel discreetly. 5. There is no need as things stand for the Chalice to be withdrawn or sign of peace suspended, such as was advised during the 2009 ‘flu pandemic. This advice would only come if we had a very serious epidemic in the UK and at the time of writing this is unlikely. People with cold and flu-like symptoms should refrain from the sign of peace if they are present. 6. When visiting parishioners at home, wash hands before giving the sacraments. No pastoral visits to people who are self-isolating until isolation ends. However do offer phone support. 7. Visitors to people in care homes or hospitals should follow advice from the staff on infection control. Stage 2: A number of cases in local communities or a case specifically linked to a parish community The key things for parishes in these circumstances are: 1. It is likely you will need to suspend distribution under both kinds (the host to be given on the hand only).
3. Remove holy water stoups. 4. Public veneration of relics and the Cross on Good Friday should NOT be by kissing or physically touching them. 5. Advise those most vulnerable (elderly, people with weakened immune systems and long-term conditions like cancer, diabetes and heart disease) to refrain from large parish gatherings and stay at home. 6. Cease use of shared hymn books and missals which could help transmit the virus. 7. Ask everyone attending Mass to sanitise their hands as they come into church. 8. Ensure everyone maintains good hygiene especially at Mass and parish gatherings. The best way of protecting us from spread is still for everyone to use universal good hygiene, which will effectively disrupt spread of the virus. So, display the public information poster, which states:
10. Ensure very regular cleaning of surfaces lots of people touch regularly (i.e., ideally clean door handles before and after every Mass). 11. Do not pass the collection plate around. 12. Ensure Ministers of the Eucharist sanitise their hands before and after distributing Communion (we should be doing this anyway as a matter of course). This can be done by washing hands discreetly before proceeding to the sanctuary or using good quality hand gel discreetly. 13. When visiting parishioners at home, wash hands before giving the sacraments. No pastoral visits to people who are self-isolating until isolation ends. However, do offer phone support. 14. Visitors to people in care homes or hospitals should follow advice from the staff on infection control. 15. Suspend catering (teas, coffees, etc.) at large parish gatherings where multiple people touch mugs, utensils, biscuits, etc. Stage 3: Many cases in local parishes It is currently unlikely, but not impossible, that we will get to this stage. This could either be at deanery, diocesan or national level.
If you have any questions or concerns about the outbreak of the virus, click here
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