Archdiocese of Oklahoma City encourages further COVID precautions as cases increase in Oklahoma

The Archdiocese of Oklahoma City on Thursday announced further precautions for Catholic churches in the archdiocese to address exposure to COVID-19 for church staff members or priests.
 
“It is important as the virus spreads in Oklahoma that we remain diligent with precautions that were put in place to slow the virus in our churches and in our communities. We must not become lax,” Archbishop Paul Coakley said. “As the virus affects our staff members, parishioners or priests, we must take further steps to not expose others and to slow the spread of COVID-19.”
 
With a record number of people in Oklahoma testing positive, pastors and parishes have instituted plans to reduce the risk of the spread of the virus if a presumptive or positive test is received. If a staff member at a church, including a priest, is known to have been exposed to the virus, becomes ill or tests positive, several steps must be taken.
 
The pastor must inform parishioners immediately of the illness. Information also should be provided on possible exposure to the virus even if test results are not immediately available. The pastor or staff member must quarantine for 14 days and, when necessary, parish offices can be closed and public Mass suspended. Parishioners are asked to not attend Mass or any church-related function if they do not feel well or are experiencing any of the symptoms of COVID-19. A general dispensation from attending Sunday Mass remains in place.
 
Provisions already are in place at Catholic churches in the archdiocese. They include limiting capacity at churches to 33 percent, marking pews to ensure at least six feet between households, strongly encouraging masks (some churches require them), mandatory masks for priests and anyone distributing communion, no holy water fonts, no shaking hands and no large gatherings. Further provisions can be found at archokc.org/mass.
 
“We will continue to monitor this ever-changing situation with guidance from civil leaders and health authorities, and update precautions as needed,” Archbishop Coakley said. “We must remain steadfast in our faith and know that we are not alone. Let us pray for one another and for everyone who is sick or affected by this virus.”