Archbishop Simon Poh
KUCHING: The Roman Catholic Church in Sarawak are suspending masses and activities starting today (March 15) instead of March 20, to April 3 due to mounting concerns of the recent development surrounding the spread of Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19).
Archbishop of Kuching Simon Poh said this in response to the directive issued by the State Disaster Management Committee (JPBN) today, stating all government and public gatherings involving more than 50 people to be postponed to a later date.
“All large gathering and masses scheduled this evening and the coming week will be suspended. Instead, Catholics are to read the Word of God, pray and make a spiritual communion during this time,” he said in a statement released this afternoon.
He urged parishioners to follow the guidelines stipulated by the government, take health precautions and practise good hygiene.
Meanwhile, the state recorded 11 new positive Covid-19 cases as of 1pm today, bringing the total to 20 since Friday when the first three cases were registered.
JPBN chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said out of the 11 cases today, eight were in Miri and one each in Kuching, Bintulu and Sarikei.
He added that as of yesterday (March 14), the committee’s special group managed to track down a total of 440 travellers flying in to the state through the four airports between March 2 to 5 from Kuala Lumpur.