A CATHOLIC church in west Belfast has been closed for a deep clean as a "precautionary measure" after a parishioner tested positive for Covid-19.
St Agnes' Church has been temporarily shut after the parishioner informed the parish they had attended 12.30pm Mass on Sunday.
The church on the Andersonstown Road was subsequently closed "for the purposes of deep cleaning and sanitisation".
It will reopen again for public worship in the coming days after the cleaning measures have been completed.
The Down and Connor diocese confirmed the development in a statement on St Agnes' parish website.
It said: "The Diocese of Down and Connor can confirm that a parishioner from St Agnes' Parish in Belfast has tested positive for Covid-19.
"Upon the advice and guidance of the PHA (Public Health Agency), the parishioner informed the parish where they had recently attended 12.30pm Mass on Sunday August 23.
"In accordance with diocesan procedures and in compliance with the most recent health and safety guidance from the Public Health Agency, as a precautionary measure, St Agnes' Church will be temporarily closed for the purposes of deep cleaning and sanitisation."
It said that "every precaution has been taken to minimise the spread of the virus and to ensure the safety of all".
"Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who have been affected by the coronavirus and we particularly pray for the speedy recovery of the parishioner," it added.
"Following the deep cleaning, St Agnes' Church will reopen again for public worship."
The diocese encouraged continuing vigilance over the pandemic, urging parishioners to maintain social distancing and exercise good personal hand hygiene.
It also encouraged people to download the 'StopCOVID NI' mobile phone app to help alert those who have been in close contact with other users who have tested positive for coronavirus.
"If anyone exhibits symptoms of the virus, they should self-isolate, contact the NHS on 111 and seek a test," it added.
It is the first time the Down and Connor diocese has taken the action of temporarily closing a church over a positive Covid-19 case.
Last month, St Mary's Church in Ardmore, Co Derry, closed temporarily after two parishioners tested positive for coronavirus.
Fr Neil Farren at the time said the parishioners, a married couple, had been at a service at the church in the days before testing positive.
Church services were permitted to resume in Northern Ireland at the end of June as Covid-19 lockdown restrictions were eased, with two-metre social distancing rules limiting the number of attendees.
Earlier this month, the leaders of the north's four main Christian churches asked parishioners to wear face coverings during services.
Leaders of the Church of Ireland, Methodist Church, Catholic and Presbyterian Churches said it was their responsibility "to ensure that our services of worship are safe places".
