The VBS executive council’s dispatch No.106 dated May 8 asked Buddhist worshipping places in the country not to organize religious activities with large gatherings of people. Heads of Buddhist worshipping places must proactively coordinate with the local authorities, and be responsible to the VBS and the state law in the implementation of epidemic prevention measures in the new situation.

For the organization of the 2565^th anniversary of the Buddha’s Birthday, the VBS central executive council also asked VBS executive committees in provinces and cities and Buddhist worshiping places across the country to make decisions of the event organization based on practical situations of the Covid-19 epidemic in localities and guidance of local authorities on the epidemic prevention.

On the same day, Hanoi Archdiocese and Ho Chi Minh City Archdiocese released formal notes on the Covid-19 prevention to Catholic dignitaries, deacons and parishioners.

Formal note of Hanoi Archdiocese on Covid-19 prevention

The Hanoi Archdiocese’s note signed by Archbishop Joseph Vũ Văn Thiên highlighted that those who fully and solemnly attending online Sunday masses, via websites and social networks posted by the Archdiocese, would be recognized as having kept the law of the Church.

Ho Chi Minh City Archdiocese requested the number of people attending a mass to be not exceeding 50% of the capacity of the venue, as well as stated that bishops and presiding priests could increase the number of masses to reduce the number of attendees in a mass.

Earlier, in a public note dated May 7, Hue Archdiocese urged dignitaries, deacons and parishioners to strictly implement the 5K recommendation of the health sector for the Covid-19 prevention. Parishes having people infected with Covid-19 must immediately cancel masses with large gathering of people.

Public note of Hue Archdiocese on May 7

NL