Safety First: CBCP lines up guidelines vs 2019 Novel Coronavirus

Photo by Brenda P. Milan

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has recommended that communion will be received through the hand to prevent the acquisition and spread of the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCov).

“The communion in the hand (must) be practiced ordinarily to help prevent further fear from people who are reasonably cautious about this matter,” said CBCP Secretary General Fr. Mejia in the instruction released January 29.

CBCP has recommended that close contacts should be discouraged like holding hands during the singing of the “Our Father” and during the “sign of peace.”

Parishes should regularly change the holy water in the fonts and install protective cloth on the grills of confessionals as recommended by health experts and echoed by CBCP.

CBCP has also issued an “Oratio Imperata” which was read starting February 2 in all Masses for the people who are sick because of the said virus and to prevent a global outbreak.

“We pray for your grace for the people tasked with studying the nature and cause of this virus and its disease and of stemming the tide of its transmission,” the prayer reads, adding:

“Guide the hands and minds of medical experts that they may minister to the sick with competence and compassion, and of those governments and private agencies that must find cure and solution to this epidemic.”

Authorities are monitoring the arrival of tourists especially those who have travel history in China and those countries affected by the virus.