SALT LAKE CITY — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced the temporary closure of two temples in Asia, along with multiple areas where missionaries are self-isolating amid the spread of the new coronavirus, or COVID-19.
The Taipei Taiwan Temple has been closed temporarily, and the Seoul Korea Temple will temporarily close beginning Saturday, the church said in the announcement.
"Members in some parts of the world are not gathering for weekly worship services. In other places, services are being held on a limited schedule. Local Church leaders are also working to support and minister to the needs of members in these areas," the statement read.
Missionaries in multiple missions in Asia are under various levels of isolation, the church also said.
Missionaries in South Korea will follow self-isolation techniques recommended by the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Missionaries in the Cambodia Phnom Penh Mission, Singapore Mission and Thailand Bangkok Mission are told to stay inside their apartments except to shop for food and other supplies, to exercise or to attend worship services. Missionaries who have been called to these three missions will be temporarily reassigned to other locations.
Missionaries in the Mongolia Ulaanbaatar Mission are making only limited visits to people when invited.
Missionaries affected by these precautions will continue to teach via phone or video calls.
