Masses suspended again because of COVID spike

ST VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES

Bishop Gerard County has suspended weekend Masses in the Diocese of Kingstown again because of an increase in COVID-19 cases in St Vincent and Grenadines.

The “difficult decision” was made public January 8, 2021 in a letter from the bishop to Catholic faithful on the diocesan website, catholicsvg.org

The full text read:

My Dear Brothers & Sisters,

Over last two weeks St Vincent and the Grenadines has recorded a spike in COVID-19 cases. Since then, the Health Services Subcommittee of the National Emergency Committee/ COVID-19 Task Force, Ministry of Health, Wellness, and the Environment has issued new guidelines.

To follow the guidelines of the Ministry of Health and for the safety of all, I have made the difficult decision to again suspend all Sunday Masses with immediate effect.

The Government’s Health Services guidelines for indoor gatherings include the following:

• Indoor gatherings with a maximum of 10 persons should be allowed.
• Temperature checks of all congregants/ attendees should be done as they enter the venue. Any patron found to have a temperature greater than 100.1°F MUST be referred immediately to the COVID-19 Hotline

(534-4325).

• Sufficient hand washing or hand sanitizing stations (at a recommended ratio of no less than 1:40 persons) should be available for the duration of the event.
• The venue should have sufficient space to allow for 3-6 ft. physical distancing between congregants/ patrons/ attendees, and the free movement of congregants/ attendees.
• Facial coverings must be given to all congregants/ attendees.
• Facial coverings worn by the majority of congregants/attendees are strongly recommended.

Adequate toilet facilitates with hygiene practices sufficiently maintained should be available at all events.

As was done before, the Sunday Mass from the Cathedral would be streamed at 9.00 a.m. with a limited number of attendants – mainly the clergy, servers & lectors.

Naturally, there is much fear and anxiety and maybe panic. But, as people of faith let us face this challenge along with the challenge of the activity of the La Soufriere with the confidence that God is with us.

I invite all to pray daily the rosary imploring the intercession of Our Mother Mary and of St Vincent, Patron of our Blessed Land Hairouna.

Yours in Christ,

+ Gerard County,

Bishop of Kingstown