Palours, one of 23 scheduled premises closed under Covid-19 restrictions, were recently allowed to reopen. However, owners and customers must follow anti-pandemic measures, including using the LeaveHomeSafe app; have had at least one Covid-19 vaccine jab; and wear facemasks. People can get their hair cut at last. Out of all the scheduled premises, the decision to allow palours to reopen early was, according to the city’s authorities, because people had practical need to get their hair cut.
What about religious venues and places of worship? Aren’t prayer and worship also life necessities?
On February 8, the government announced that religious premises were included in the list of scheduled premises that had to close their doors amid the surge of the Omicron variant in Hong Kong. At first they were to close from the February 10 to midnight on February 24. Despite this, the daily number of confirmed Covid-19 cases increased exponentially, spiralling out of control, so the government prolonged closures until April 20.
It is every citizen’s responsibility to fight against the pandemic. It is incumbent on the Church to follow the government’s mitigation measures.
Nevertheless, the temple of God has always been open to welcome passers-by to come and pray; to seek peace and comfort. Early on in the Covid-19 pandemic, the government prohibited dine-in services for the whole day resulting in many workers of all stripes anxiously seeking for a place to eat. The Church allocated special areas where anyone could have their lunch and rest. This arrangement protected human dignity, as Jesus says, “…in so far as you did this to one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it to me” [Matthew 25:40].
While the diocese follows the government’s anti-pandemic measures it encourages the faithful to participate in online Masses. People are also encouraged to read the Bible and recite the rosary, as well as to make use of the spiritual formation opportunities that are available on the Internet.
However, not everyone knows how find resources online. Some parish priests are aware of this and have made the Sunday Examiner and the Kung Kao Pao, along with parish bulletins and devotional leaflets available in special places outside the parish church to answer the pastoral needs of the faithful.
Prayers and devotions are indispensable to Christian life. Even for those who have no faith,
religious premises are venues where they calm their hearts and sort out their anxieties in this troubling time. Churches are solemn and sacred places. Whoever enters them enjoys a sense of relief and peace. Hopefully all the religious premises will be open soon. SE
