The Catholic church is asking its priests to provide "an alternative" to the practice of passing collection baskets.

In a statement, the Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference has issued advice in the context of the COVID-19 coronavirus.

It says hand sanitiser should be provided at each entrance of a church, while holy water fonts should remain empty.

The sign of peace is also not to be expressed by handshaking.

It is asking that holy communion only be received in the hand until the current crisis has passed.

While priests and ministers should sanitise their hands before and after giving out communion.

It says confirmation ceremonies will continue for now, but may have to be postponed "at very short notice."

However it is asking people with underlying health conditions, and who are considered vulnerable from a health perspective, not to attend the ceremonies.

On baptism, it says the celebrant should sign the child with the cross without touching them.

On funerals, the bishops say: "The community of faith will always seek to surround the funerals and burials of its deceased members with love and respect.

"However, even now it is clear that people with underlying conditions, and who are vulnerable, should not attend funerals.

"For the same reason, when sympathising, people should not shake hands."

The church adds that it is awaiting official guidance from public health authorities in the event of a deterioration in the situation.

But says the church will "always stand with the bereaved and do its best to ensure a Christian burial for those who request it."