Churches modify services ahead of Easter coronavirus threat
Sydney churches are arming themselves against the coronavirus as experts say the spread could worsen around Easter. Here’s what you can expect at Easter service this year.
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Sanitisers, masks and individual communion cups will be the new norm for Easter service-goers this year — with a spate of Sydney churches arming themselves against the coronavirus.
The Chinese Presbyterian Church has cancelled its post-service lunch gatherings and has been handing out masks and hand sanitiser as experts warn that the virus could worsen around Easter.
“We have been taking precautions for the past month already. Usually we have some gathering after service and lunch but we stopped doing that after Chinese New Year. We stopped our activities, like lunch together, gatherings, we’ve kind of self-quarantined,” a member of the church told The Daily Telegraph.
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“We are taking precautions like giving masks to people who are sick. When people come in we give them a squeeze of hand sanitiser. Our congregation is very alert and it never hurts to be extra careful.
“It’s better to do more instead of not taking precautions and regretting it later.”
The Anglican Church is also taking precautions during Easter, and has urged worshippers to ask for individual cups at communion.
“It has been customary for most of our congregations to offer individual cups for communion for many years, as we offer gluten free bread. I encourage churchgoers to ask for this option, if provision has not already been made,” Archbishop Glenn Davies said.
“Participating in the Lord’s Supper is a fellowship activity, and we should therefore take wise precautionary steps to ensure all who are baptised and love the Lord Jesus can safely participate in our family meal.”
Anglican churches have also been putting out hand sanitiser for the congregations and clergy to use.
Mass will go ahead as planned at the Catholic Church, with St Mary’s Cathedral confirming Easter service will not be cancelled due to health concerns.
“Masses are currently going ahead as planned,” a church spokeswoman said.
Infectious disease expert Chris Burrell said it was very difficult to predict the course of the virus and preparations would help stop it from spreading.
“I think all the preparing is to curtail any introduction and to slow down the spread. At this time to predict what it’ll be like at Easter time is very hard. We could be in the situation we are in now … or we could be in a situation more like Italy,” Mr Burrell said.
“It may be that there is enough infection in Australia that those precautionary measures are necessary or it may be that things haven’t changed at all.
“It’s good that churches are thinking of measures like that. Australia is watching (the pandemic) very carefully.”