Churches, mosques impose tough worship rules

RELIGIOUS GROUPS across the island have taken precautionary measures in response to the emergence of COVID-19 here.

EVERETT BROWN, president of the Jamaica Union of Seventh-day Adventists, outlined new protocols for the church’s operations.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Brown said that outside of Sabbath services, no large gatherings should be planned, including conventions, music days, and rallies.

Further, any evangelistic crusades in progress must be concluded.

He also indicated that there should be no handshaking, holding of hands, or embracing, which is a regular practice among the 300,000-strong membersship islandwide.

Brown also advised that strict hygienic protocols should be observed if communion and baptismal services must be conducted.

The president also instructed that the elderly, as well as people with pre-existing conditions, should stay home.

Meanwhile, the Islamic Council of Jamaica has cancelled all community-based activities, including congregational Friday prayers, until further notice.

The Roman Catholic Church in Jamaica has also issued advice to its members.

It suspended the kiss of peace and urged people to refrain from joining hands in prayer.

The church also instructed that the Holy Communion is to be administered on the hand for the duration of the pandemic, putting a temporary stop to pastors, deacons, and lay ministers administering it directly into the mouth of the recipient.

Holy water fonts, the church said, would also be emptied.

The novel coronavirus has infected more than 140,000 people in 135 countries and claimed 5,000plus lives.