COVID-19 – Stage 2 protocols

On advice from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, Saint Joseph’s Church will be applying the following protocols to the church and parish to tackle the on-going outbreak of Covid-19 (Coronavirus).

1.  The Sacred Host will be given on the hand only.
2.  Suspension of the physical sign of peace. No handshakes.                   Alternatively, a respectful bow may be offered.
3.  Removal of Holy Water from fonts.
4.  Public veneration of relics and the Cross on Good Friday should                                                                                      NOT be by kissing or physically touching them.
5. Those most vulnerable (elderly, people with weakened immune systems and long term conditions like                cancer, diabetes and heart disease) should 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. Everyone attending Mass should sanitise their hands as they come into church using sanitized gel                        dispensers.
8. Ensure everyone maintains good hygiene especially at Mass and parish gatherings this will effectively                disrupt the spread of the virus:                                                                                                                                                                                                        i. Catch it – sneeze into a tissue                                                                                                                                                ii. Bin it – bin the tissue                                                                                                                                                              iii. Kill it – wash your hands with soap and water                                                                                                                    iv. Do not touch your face unless you’ve washed your hands
9. Anyone with cold or flu symptoms should refrain from attending Liturgy, public events and not attend the          sacrament of reconciliation if symptomatic. (You may have an ordinary cold but equally it is important to            ensure a precautionary approach.)
10. Ensure very regular cleaning of surfaces lots of people touch regularly (eg 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.
13. Until further notice there will be no pastoral visits however phone support will be available.
14. Catering will be suspended at large parish gatherings where multiple people touch mugs, utensils,                      biscuits etc until further notice.

 

For more information please see the links below:

Best way to wash your hands – NHS 

https://www.nhs.uk/livewell/healthy-body/best-way-to-wash-your-hands/

and a poster here:

https://www.who.int/gpsc/5may/resources/posters/en/