Virus alert ramped up

THE State Government has escalated its coronavirus response to Level 2, but says the risk to Tasmanians is low.

Health Minister Sarah Courtney said advice to bump up the local response came from senior health officials and was a “precautionary and proactive approach”.

Religious groups are also taking measures to safeguard against spreading the virus, such as suspending communion from the chalice and avoiding shaking hands.

MEASURES are being taken by the state’s religious groups to safeguard against the coronavirus crisis.

Catholic Archbishop of Hobart Julian Porteous advised parishes of changes to liturgical practices starting from the weekend.

A number of precautions will be put in place, such as suspending communion from the chalice, avoiding the shaking of hands, the ministers of the altar using hand sanitiser, and sacred vessels being washed and holy water stoops being removed or emptied.

Similarly, Anglican Bishop of Tasmania Richard Condie sent a message to the clergy on Thursday afternoon outlining their changes.

He said the greeting of peace would remain an important part of the service, but would now not include shaking hands.

Those serving communion would wash their hands prior to set-up and distribution, and priests would be careful to wash their hands prior to the thanksgiving, refrain from touching the offertory, and avoid touching their face.

“Our best advice is that the Common Cup is safe from spreading infection, provided that a silver chalice is used, is wiped with a clean linen purificator, and is turned after each communicant,” Dr Condie wrote.

However, the dipping of communion wafers into wine will stop after March 8.

“While it is acknowledged that this is a widespread practice in the diocese, it is more likely to spread disease, due to the risk of fingers coming in contact with the wine or the chalice,” he wrote.

Catholic Education Tasmania said a crisis management plan was in place for its schools across the state. It mirrored the statewide government plan, with any actions guided by the departments of health and education.

With another country now added to the travel ban list, the University of Tasmania has placed a pause on international travel not critical to the university’s operation.

In an email to staff and students, safety and wellbeing director Chris Arnold said critical travel would be considered case-by-case and must be approved.