All religions join hands to fight against COVID-19

 

Venerable Thich Nguyen Thong, Abbot of Phuoc Quang Monastery (Long Thanh district) gives gifts to people in difficult circumstances affected by COVID-19.

Gathering restrictions at places of worship

Vien Giac Pagoda (Bien Hoa City) is a place where many Buddhists and visitors come to worship and visit the pagoda, especially on the full moon day (15^th day) and the first day (1^st day) of lunar month; At the same time, this is also the place to organize many retreats, attracting a large number of participants. However, after the COVID-19 epidemic reappeared and complicated developments, this pagoda has been propagating to Buddhists and people about limiting crowds and strictly implementing anti-epidemic measures.

Mrs. Nguyen Thi Lien (living in Quarter 2, Binh Da ward, Bien Hoa city) shared, currently the pagoda only receives about 5-7 people each turn to worship. Before entering the temple/pagoda, people must wear a mask and wash their hands with an antiseptic solution; when standing or sitting worship must be separated from each other, and so on.

Most Venerable Thich Nhat Quang, Head of Provincial Buddhist Sangha's Executive Board, said that regarding the implementation of the direction and guidance of the Board of Directors of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha and the Provincial People's Committee on strengthening measures to prevent and fight against Covid-19 epidemics in the new context, the Provincial Buddhist Sangha's Executive Board has issued Official Letter No. 411/BTS-VP proposing all affiliated divisions and sub-divisions; The district-level Buddhist Sangha's Executive Boards and Buddhist monasteries in the province propagate to monks, nuns and Buddhists to be aware of the dangers and serious harms of the COVID-19 epidemic, do not neglect, not in an off-guard/unwary state in implementing epidemic prevention measures according to the guidance of the Health sector and local authorities.

To temporarily pause the organization of festivals, legal festivals, ceremonies and retreats that have a large concentration of people. Daily rituals are still be performed normally but the abbot has the responsibility to guide and organize the prevention and control of epidemics according to regulations, wearing masks and washing hands; To restrict to receive groups of Buddhists and visitors, worship and temple/pagoda visit.

The provincial Buddhist Intermediate School must delay the time of celebrating the Buddha's Ancestor and the graduation ceremony, hand out certificates to monks and nuns of the VIIIth term. During this time, the Office of Provincial Buddhist Sangha's Executive Board shall perform administrative procedures, receive and process all records/files in the mornings every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. In case of urgent, the District-level Executive Boards, monks and nuns may directly contact the Secretariat and the Office of Executive Board by phone for guidance and settlement.

If there are cases of infection, high risk of infection or contact with an infected person and/or who return from an epidemic area as announced by the Ministry of Health and authorities, monks/nuns and abbot of monasteries must immediately report to the local authorities and health workers to promptly guide, quarantine those people and take care of their health.

Suspension of masses

Recently, Father Do Duc Luc, Chief of the Office of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Xuan Loc also announced to the whole diocese the suspension of masses and pastoral activities.

In the notice clearly stated that for daily masses and necessary pastoral activities, priests/fathers may gather in groups of no more than 30 people; but for Bien Hoa City: no more than 20 people -  in accordance with the regulations of the Provincial People's Committee. Those who have symptoms of cough, fever, and shortness of breath must quarantine themselves and contact medical centers for assistance. “Along with the Vietnamese Church and the Universal Church, we offer to God a fervent prayer. Merciful God, hear our fervent prayer for all peopel in Vietnam and for all who suffer from the COVID-19 epidemic...” - Father Do Duc Luc stated in the announcement.

According to the Head of the Provincial Committee for Religious Affairs Nguyen Quoc Vu, over the past time, the religious organizations in the province have joined hands with the authorities at all levels to well implement measures to prevent and control the COVID-19 epidemic. The Provincial Committee for Religious Affairs recognized and praised the said religious organizations for their contributions to the whole country in general and Dong Nai province in particular in preventing epidemics from spreading in the community. Currently, however, translation Covid-19 continues to evolve in a complicated manner, After more than 3 months of having no new case in the community, in recent days, some cases have appeared in Da Nang City and some provinces and cities; At present, the source of infection has not been identified and there is a high risk of infection in many localities throughout the country.

The Provincial Committee for Religious Affairs proposed leaders of religious organizations and its affiliated unions in the province to continue implementing some of the following contents: propagandize and mobilize prelates, dignitaries, beneficed clergy and believers to actively monitor and update the situation, disease developments and epidemic prevention and control measures on the mass media and official sources; not to propagate and disseminate false information about the epidemic situation, to avoid causing confusion in public opinion; limit the organization of unnecessary religious activities.

To guide prelates, dignitaries, beneficed clergy and believers to raise their vigilance, take initiative and voluntarily apply anti-epidemic measures such as wearing masks in public places, public transport vehicles; Limit public gatherings and social gatherings; Washing hands too often or using hand sanitizers. To actively coordinate with the authorities to trace and mobilize prelates, dignitaries, beneficed clergy and believers who have come to Danang City or epidemic areas and return to Dong Nai province from July 8. -2020 up to now, voluntarily perform electronic medical declarations and isolate themselves according to regulations. For cases with symptoms of fever, cough, etc., they must actively contact the nearest medical authority for guidance on taking necessary measures under regulations.

By Duong An