The Catholic Church In Trinidad & Tobago Implements Preventative Measures Against The Covid19 Virus

The Catholic Archbishop of Port of Spain, Most Reverend Charles Jason Gordon, has implemented measures throughout the Archdiocese to prevent the possible spread of the Coronavirus. These preventative measures are being implemented in all Catholic parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Port-of-Spain.

Included in the measures being implemented as follows:-

• Holy Communion will be distributed in the hand only
• There will be no distribution of the Blood of Christ.
• There will be no exchange of the sign of peace
• Ministers who distribute the Holy Eucharist must sanitize before and after distribution.
• All holy water has been removed

These measures came on the heels of the Government Trinidad and Tobago’s announcement to raise its level of precaution against the spread of this virus. 

It is also strongly suggested that if you have any signs of the cold or flu that you should visit your doctor. Some of the signs and symptoms of the Covid 19 virus include:

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath

Persons who are most at risk of contracting the Covid 19 virus would include persons who have been in close contact with infected persons, or persons who have traveled to regions that are infected with the virus.

Other simple measures that we all can implement that will help to prevent the spread of this and all other communicable diseases include the following:-

• Coughing and sneezing into a tissue and disposing of this in a properly sanitized way.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing one’s nose, or coughing, or sneezing, or going to the washroom.
• Wash your hands thoroughly before preparing a meal.
• Wash your hands thoroughly before and after meals.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with hands that have not been previously washed as described above.
• Avoid touching the eyes, nose or mouth of others, especially little children with hands that have not been properly washed as described above.
• In the event that you do contract the flu or the virus, you should isolate yourself as far as is possible.

As the World continues to be affected by the covid19 virus, we as Catholics and Christians must ensure that it does not in any way prevent us from being our brother’s keeper and from doing all that righteousness and our faith demands of us. This situation must never become a reason to be any less charitable to anyone regardless of who they are and where they are from. Finally I want to encourage us or to pray for the end of this virus and all other plagues.