Swine flu

Guidelines in the event of a pandemic

The flu virus is contained in droplets released when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can be inhaled by others close by, or transferred by person to person contact, or contact with contaminated surfaces.

In the event of the outbreak of swine flu reaching pandemic proportions in a particular country or area of population, church services should continue as normal, but the following guidelines should come into place. The decision as to when this stage is reached is left to the local clergy, who will be aware of local conditions and national recommendations in their country.

Personal Hygiene

High standards of hand hygiene should be maintained. All ministers of communion should wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water, or, if possible, with alcohol hand-rub, prior to and after the service.

The Consecrated Bread

The distribution of the consecrated bread should be continued, but communion should not be given on the tongue. The person administering should take care that their fingers do not come into contact with the communicants’ hands.

The Cup

Neither the alcoholic content of wine nor the antiseptic qualities of noble metals will provide any protection against a pandemic flu virus. In the event of pandemic flu affecting a particular area, administration of the cup should be suspended and Holy Communion administered in one kind only. Even where such advice has not yet been given, there will be communicants who choose to receive communion in one kind. The clergy should make it clear that while communion in both kinds is the norm in the Church of England, when it is received in one kind only, the fullness of the Sacrament is nonetheless received. (See Note below).

It should be noted that scientific studies indicate that the practice of intinction may carry an even greater risk than the common cup, as it is difficult to avoid contact between fingers, cup and consecrated wine.

The Peace

It is suggested that greetings be exchanged avoiding direct physical contact, such as handshaking and exchange of kisses.