Coronavirus leads church to transfer missionaries out of China
Feb 4, 2020, 8:57 PM | Updated: Mar 12, 2020, 9:22 am
Microscopic view of Coronavirus, a pathogen that attacks the respiratory tract. Photo: Getty Images
SALT LAKE CITY — In a statement released by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Tuesday, church officials announced 113 missionaries would be transferred as a result of the coronavirus.
Specifically, the church will transfer 113 missionaries out of the China Hong Kong Mission over the next few days.
Many missionaries will be reassigned to other missions. Other missionaries nearing the end of their scheduled release date will be sent home with an honorable release.
Before reassignment, church leaders said cautionary measures will be taken that follow the guidelines from the World Health Organization including self-isolation for 14 days. Where it is required, those affected will also undergo government-mandated quarantine at a government facility in accordance with their home country’s guidelines.
In the statement, the church said twelve additional missionaries who are from Hong Kong will return home and be released form service until the situation is stabilized.
Several days prior to leaving Hong Kong, all missionaries followed preventative health practices rigorously to avoid becoming sick with coronavirus. Those included staying in their apartments as much as possible, not engaging in teaching, wearing masks, and washing their hands frequently. Due to these precautions, church officials say the likelihood of any of these missionaries having contracted coronavirus is very low.
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