Wednesday, March 11, 2020 | 10:30 p.m.
Throughout the year, young members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints embark on two-year missions across the globe to share their religion.
The coronavirus has now disrupted the process.
Travel for missionaries slated to depart to 14 destinations — where COVID-19 is of “particular concern” — has been postponed, with some being temporarily reassigned, the church announced Wednesday.
Those with chronic health issues or who were nearing the end of their missions at some of the locations have returned home. Others have been transferred.
The locations impacted include Italy, Japan, South Korea, Cambodia, Singapore and Thailand, all countries with confirmed cases of the virus that has infected more than 121,000 people around the world, claiming 4,300 lives. The Ulaanbaatar mission in Mongolia was also on the list.
Missionaries from Cambodia, Singapore and Thailand, and those who were heading there have had their missions postponed. Missionaries serving there, who were nearing the end of their assignment or who have chronic health issues, have been recalled home. Those preparing to serve in Japan had their missions postponed.
Nonnative missionaries in South Korea have returned to their home countries for temporary assignments. Missionaries leaving that country, which has reported thousands of coronavirus cases and dozens of deaths, have already self-quarantined for “some time and had avoided contact with others outside their apartments,” the church said.
Every member returning home was being placed in a two-week quarantine as recommended by the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In addition, training centers for missionaries in Provo, Utah, and England will only be operational through video conference, the church announced. “We believe this temporary virtual training program will help to prepare missionaries for the field while minimizing risks related to communicable disease.”
The global church based in Salt Lake City, Utah, has restricted large gatherings such as regional conferences. Several temples around the world, including in Rome, Boston and Seattle, have closed.
Congregations in hard-hit areas have shortened or suspended Sunday worship.
