Churches in Sabah take measures to curb Covid-19

A file picture of St Michael's Church in Penampang, Sabah.

KOTA KINABALU: For over a month now, churches no longer provide holy water at the entrance for Catholics to apply to their foreheads to make the sign of the cross.

Parishioners too are no longer allowed to receive the Holy Communion (which Catholics believe is the body and blood of Christ) using methods other than their hands.

Before this, they could also open their mouths and stick out their tongue a little so that the wardens can place the Holy Communion on their tongues.

These are some of the measures taken by churches to curb the spread of Covid-19.

According to the weekly church bulletin and announcements by church wardens, other measures include the practise of bowing to each other during the exchange of the peace with each other.

Previously, Catholics could either bow their heads or shake hands with one another but the practice changed ever since the outbreak of Covid-19.

Church goers are reminded to cover their mouths with handkerchiefs or tissue papers whenever they sneeze or cough, and to dispose of their trash properly.

Every church warden, especially those in charge of the Holy Communion, are also required to keep their hands clean and sanitised throughout the mass.

It is not known if all the churches in Sabah practise the same safety precautionary measures but the memo has been issued to most Catholic churches by the archdiocese in the state. - Star