According to the information provided by doctors and the Department of Health, Influenza A (H1N1)[Human Swine Flu] is mainly transmitted through droplets expelled during sneezing or coughing and through objects in contact with these droplets, such as fingers. As the outbreak of the Human Swine Flu in Hong Kong is aggravating, we hereby issue the following updated guidelines (supplementing those issued on 2 May 2009) after consultations with the Diocesan Liturgy Commission and medical professionals:

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1. Hygiene within the Church Premises

1.1 Keep doors and windows open for the maintenance of good ventilation. Where necessary, improve ventilation by means of electric fans and air-conditioning facilities. Avoid leaving churches over-crowded.
1.2 It is recommended that at the entrance to a church, alcohol-based handrub be provided for the faithful to disinfect their hands, so as to avoid the spread of virus.
1.3 Regularly cleanse and disinfect the Church floor, furniture such as prie dieux, the Reconciliation Room, especially the screen, and the toilets, using diluted household bleach, i.e., adding 1 part of household bleach to 99 parts of water (or 49 parts of water in case of respiratory secretions or nasal or mouth discharges), rinse with water and then mop dry. If it is practicable, the prie dieux may be disinfected in the same way between Masses.

2. Mass

2.1 For their own safety and that of others, members of the faithful who feel unwell, or show respiratory symptoms (such as coughing, difficulty in breathing, or fever), or have been to regions affected by the Human Swine Flu within seven days, or have been in contact with people suspected to be infected, are not obliged to attend Mass on Sunday. However, they should practise instead other forms of piety, such as reading Scripture, saying the rosary or other prayers. Liturgical ministers (including priests, deacons, altar servers, readers, Eucharistic ministers and ushers, etc.) who are or have been under similar circumstances should refrain from officiating or serving at Mass.
2.2 As a temporary measure, abstain from providing holy water at the Church entrance, so that the faithful need not use holy water.
2.3 As the liturgical booklets and hymnals in a church are successively and repeatedly used by the faithful during weekday and Sunday Masses, and they may thereby easily become media of the transmission of virus, they can be set aside for the time being. Readers can use their own booklets or photocopies, while the faithful can simply listen to the readings.
Choir members can use their own hymnals and choose hymns that the faithful are familiar with.
2.4 The practice of individual faithful placing small bread into the ciborium before Mass should be suspended for the time being.
2.5 The microphone equipment in all its forms should be cleansed after Mass. (Alcohol may be used.)
2.6 To keep their hands hygienic, Sunday collections should be taken up from the faithful after the “Postcommunion”.
2.7 Before, during and after consecration, the bread and wine should be covered with purificators until Communion time. These purificators should be changed after each Mass and washed before reuse.
2.8 As a temporary measure, all members of the faithful are to receive Holy Communion only in the hand, and not by the traditional method. However, Holy Communion may be given under both species.
2.9 All priests and Eucharistic ministers should individually disinfect their hands (alcohol-based handrub is recommended) before and after giving Holy Communion.
If possible, the faithful should cleanse their hands before receiving Holy Communion. Liturgical ministers may assist them by providing them with alcohol-based handrub while they are lining up.
2.10 Take care of hygiene in cleansing chalices –
a.The minister who consumes the Blood of Christ should himself cleanse the chalice with water and drink it. He should not ask someone else to do it for himself.
b.The chalice should then be washed with tap water before reuse.
c. Purificators should be changed after each Mass and washed before reuse.
2.11 Reduce unnecessary contact, thus -
a.While saying or singing the Our Father, do not hold hands.
b.Express the Sign of Peace by bowing heads, instead of shaking hands.
c. As a temporary measure, avoid touching children while blessing them by the laying on of hands.
2.12 All liturgical ministers should wash their hands before and after the Liturgy. Their liturgical vestments and other uniforms should be washed more regularly.
2.13 Remind members of the faithful to use tissue paper while coughing, and to dispose of it in the toilet afterwards.

3. Visitation and Giving Holy Communion to the Sick and the Elderly

3.1 A priest or extraordinary minister of Holy Communion who is obliged to visit a sick person (for example, for anointing or giving viaticum) should wear a mask and should consult beforehand the matron of the ward or the person-in-charge, so as to comply with the directions of the hospital or the home of the elderly. Before leaving, he/she should wash his/her hands.
3.2 To avoid infection, the pyx and oil stock should be cleansed immediately after giving Holy Communion and anointing.

4. Reconciliation

Priests who are sick but are obliged to hear confession, must wear a mask while hearing confessions. Likewise, members of the faithful who are sick but are obliged to go to confession, must put on a mask.

5. Others

5.1 Parochial Sunday schools should be closed temporarily. They should take into due consideration the relevant instructions of the Education Bureau for schools, and of the Centre for Health Protection. (Website: http://www.edb.gov.hk/index.aspxnodeID=240&langno=1&print=yes; http://www.chp.gov.hk/view_content.asplang=en&info_id=17129)
Note: Children may receive Holy Communion on the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ (14 June 2009), as previously scheduled.
5.2 Taking into account the concrete circumstances, parishes should consider cancelling functions in which large groups of the faithful are gathered within a restrictive area (e.g., Sunday School), and such activities as home visits.
5.3 Take note of latest information on the website of the Centre for Health Protection.
5.4 Take note of any further guidelines from the Diocese.

6. Prayers

During the period of the Human Swine Flu outbreak, parishes and the faithful should continue to pray for the sick and health care workers, and for the health of the general public, so that, with the help of our heavenly Father and with our concerted efforts and mutual care, the Human Swine Flu may be contained as soon as possible.

Rev. Lawrence Lee
Chancellor
13 June 2009