Churchgoers asked to take precautions with communion

The UK Government has said that sharing vessels for food and drink might encourage the virus to spread.

In response, the Church of England has issued advice for the Eucharist, which Guernsey clergy are set to follow.

Dean of Guernsey, the Very Reverend Tim Barker, said the most important thing was to make sure everyone was safe.

‘For people with coughs and colds, it is probably best to avoid shaking hands,’ he said.

‘Instead a smile and nod is a good way to express friendship in greeting.’

Eucharist may be more familiarly known as Holy Communion, the Lord’s Supper or Mass.

It involves routine cup sharing, where sacramental bread and wine are shared.

‘Please be assured that it is perfectly acceptable to take just the bread if not feeling well,’ Mr Barker said.

‘Many churches are practising this and it is absolutely fine.

‘Clergy colleagues are meeting as we seek to follow the best possible practice to allow the continued use of the common cup.’

At present, using the common cup has not been suspended.

‘The advice at the moment is that there is no concern about receiving wine as the silver chalice has a sanitising effect when combined with alcohol,’ Mr Barker said.

Intinction – dipping the bread in wine – poses a possible transmission route and allergy risk.

‘We are anxious toward the practise of intinction which has become custom in some churches,’ he said.

‘This is a worry and is not advised.’

Churchgoers are asked to take sensible precautions.

‘So long as good hand hygiene is in operation, there is no reason to stop gathering for comfort or support at the church.’

Hand-washing facilities are limited in many archaic church buildings on-island.

‘Access to soap and water or toilet facilities can be difficult in many churches which were built long ago,’ Mr Barker said.

‘We are looking to provide hand-washing facilities in places where there aren’t enough.

‘Services will continue as normal, but please take care.’