According to the diocese’s notification on June 3, the Office of the diocese asked local Catholic followers to strictly observe recommendations by relevant agencies including wearing masks, suspending masses at churches, and avoiding gatherings.

As soon as two Covid-19 community cases were detected in Doai Thinh village of Thach Trung commune, following guidelines of the provincial authorities and the diocese’s office, the pastoral affairs council of Van Hanh parish in Thach Trung commune, Ha Tinh city has suspended all religious practices in the parish church from June 5 until further notice, and asked people returning from epidemic zones to strictly submit health declaration to local health units.

The Office of Ha Tinh diocese issued on June 6 another notification on suspension of all masses in the diocese from June 6 until further notice.

Over the past time, most of parishes and deaneries in the diocese have observed COVID-19 prevention and control measures in Ha Tinh province

However, parishes of Ke Dong (Huong Son district) and Ngo Xa (Cam Xuyen district) and sub-parish of Hoanh Son (Ky Anh district) in the province have still conducted religious practices with the participation of many people and not implemented the Covid-19 epidemic measures advised by Ministry of Health.

Priest Phạm Thế Hưng, Head of Du Thanh parish in Ky Khang commune, Ky Anh district still held on June 6 a Sunday mass in the parish church with hundreds of participants and without preventive measures recommended for the Covid-19 fight, such as wearing facemasks, keeping safe distancing and avoiding large gatherings.

Especially, Huong Son district imposed an administrative fine of 7.5 million VDN to Priest Bùi Khiêm Cường, Head of Ke Dong in Huong Son district for disobeying the Covid-19 pandemic preventive measures requested by local authorities.