CHICAGO, IL — The Archdiocese of Chicago has issued a letter to priests across the Chicago area regarding coronavirus/COVID-19 concerns and liturgical practices. Guidelines handed down by the Conference of Catholic Bishops outlined new protocols designed to prevent or limit the spread of coronavirus.

COVID-19 is caused by a member of the coronavirus family that’s a close cousin to the SARS and MERS viruses that have caused outbreaks in the past. Current symptoms reported for patients with COVID-19 have included mild to severe respiratory illness with fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. Scientists still don’t know how mild or severe the spread of COVID-19 will be, or where the new virus might pop up in the United States. The World Health Organization has tracked 90,870 cases, with 3,112 deaths.

In the United States, 66 cases have been confirmed, and six deaths. An additional 27 cases are under investigation by the Centers for Disease Control.

Priests, deacons, altar servers and communion ministers will be expected to follow the new measures in the coming weeks. The two main orders suspend shaking hands or embracing when exchanging the sign of peace, as well as the removal of the common chalice used to serve sacramental wine during Mass.

Those who distribute communion are also being asked to avoid direct contact with saliva when placing Holy Communion on the tongue.

“Every consideration should be given by each individual to receive Holy Communion reverently in open hands for the time being,” the letter said.

Priests and Mass participants are reminded to wash their hands before Mass and use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer before and after distributing Holy Communion. Vessels used at Mass, once purified, are to be thoroughly washed with soap and hot water after each use.

“Discern how to do this to best maintain the reverence of the Mass,” the archdiocese stated.

Holding hands during the Lord’s Prayer and using holy water fonts is also being restricted. Parishioners who are sick or experiencing symptoms of illness are “not obliged to attend mass and out of charity they ought not to attend.”

“Catechism 2181 allows for serious reasons like illness,” the archdiocese said.