[Mother Abigail]

Hong Kong Diocese issues guidelines to prevent spread of SARS

HONG KONG (CNS) -- The Hong Kong Diocese has issued special guidelines for church activities to prevent the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome, an atypical pneumonia known as SARS, that has killed at least 10 people locally.

"Guidelines for the Prevention of the Spread of Atypical Pneumonia," a two-page document released by the diocesan chancery March 25, deals with sterilization of churches and with close body contact during Mass, confessions and Sunday school, reported UCA News, an Asian church news agency based in Thailand. Parishes are told to clean more often and sterilize church floors, kneelers, toilets and confessionals while maintaining good ventilation during church services.

Protective masks are to be provided for people at church entrances. The guidelines advise Catholics suffering from a cough, fever or respiratory difficulty not to attend Mass, even on Sunday, but pray privately instead. Use of holy water fonts at church entrances is to be discontinued temporarily

[altayann]

And in other news today...

Ontario declares SARS an 'emergency'

Thousands of people in the Toronto area are being asked to put themselves in "quarantine" by staying at home or wearing surgical masks in an effort to contain the deadly outbreak of the mysterious illness known as SARS.

And the Ontario government announced on Wednesday that it was treating the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome as a "provincial emergency."

Toronto's Medical Officer of Health said everyone who visited the east-end Scarborough Grace Hospital since March 16 should remain in their homes for 10 days since that visit.

Their family members may go to work or school, but must wear a mask when at home and in contact with those who are at risk of infection.