Churches join fight
Churches throughout Lanarkshire are cancelling and postponing upcoming events during the coronavirus outbreak.
Parishioners who are feeling unwell are also being asked to stay at home and watch the services online at one Hamilton church.
Hamilton Baptist Church are urging their members who feel unwell to stay at home and watch their live stream on You Tube.
The church also stated on their Facebook page: “Our Sunday services will be on as planned this Sunday – though there will be a few of changes.
“There will be no tea or coffee after the morning service and we will not be having communion in the evening. And following last week, there will be no hugs or handshakes, but still a warm welcome.
“We continue to ask if you feel unwell to please stay at home and watch on live stream. We would ask similar of those who may be more vulnerable. Anyone experiencing the recent onset of continuous cough and/or high temperature should self-isolate for seven days.”
The church’s senior citizens meeting has been postponed for the foreseeable future and their family movie night postponed.
Blantyre Old Parish Church has also cancelled all groups until further notice.
It comes after we reported last week that Motherwell Diocese issued precautionary measures against the spread of coronavirus within its parishes.
The Rt Rev Joseph Toal, Bishop of Motherwell, issued a letter – to fathers, revered deacons, sisters and others – that explains he believes it is “prudent to make comment on the possibility of coronavirus affecting Scotland” and has taken preventative steps. These include:
■ Emptying the Holy Water stoops for blessings;
■ Suspending the sign of peace for the time being;
■ Holy Communion being given in the hand rather than on the tongue;
■ And the lay faithful will not receive the precious blood while the present crisis continues.
The bishop is also encouraging everyone who attends mass to take good care with hygiene and asks those with cold or flu like symptoms not to attend.