Coronavirus: Diocese of Rochester advises churches what to do to cut virus risk
14:49, 10 March 2020
updated: 13:37, 11 March 2020
Taking Holy Communion wine, shaking hands and hugging could be banned at some churches across Medway as a precaution against coronavirus.
The Church of England has issued guidelines to clergy in the Diocese of Rochester based on advice from Public Health England.
Parishes have been contacted saying they can restrict the Christian communion tradition by not using the Common Cup, the chalice used to offer wine.
Only the priest conducting the altar ceremony would take the wine.
Suspending direct physical contact as part of a "peace be with you" blessing or "laying on of hands" as it is known, is another suggestion.
Jenny Ross, diocese communications manager, said: "So, at present there is no blanket ban on offering the Common Cup or handshaking at the peace gesture.
"But general good practice hygiene is being encouraged: catch it, bin it, kill it.
"Anyone with coughs and colds would be advised to refrain from shaking hands with others and instead to offer The Peace verbally or in sign, as well as not to receive the Common Cup."
The C of E's governing body, the General Synod, has said it is up to individual parishes to take any kind of action to curb the virus from spreading.
The diocese's plans following a series of virus-related incidents in the Towns. St John Fisher school in Chatham is currently closed, as is the Pentagon centre's medical centre.
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