And lo, it was written that a plague would descend upon the land and churchgoers would no longer be able to shake hands.

That is the dilemma facing Church of England congregations as fears of coronavirus take hold, with seven cases confirmed in Kent as of this afternoon.

Many churches celebrate passing 'The Peace' during Holy Communion where Christians shake hands and embrace each other.

But on Sunday, retired priest the Rev Cindy Kent showed her congregation at Minster Abbey on the Isle of Sheppey how to use sign language instead.

She said: "We decided to let people decide what they wanted to do.

"I showed them how to pass The Peace using sign language, which was a nice light-relief way of doing things, or to bump elbows or feet.

"But in the end, everyone shook hands."

Cindy, who had a hit in the 1960s with The Settlers, added: "With the distribution of Holy Communion, where the priest hands out wine and a wafer, I gave people the choice. Everyone opted to take it in both kinds - the host and the communal cup.

"I think we should give people the choice and let them decide. Besides," she joked "I have to consume whatever wine is left anyway!"

News of abandoning the practice of 'The Peace' couldn't come soon enough as far as Valerie Hemsley-Flint of The Street, Wormshill, is concerned.

"The current CoronaVirus scare proves every cloud has a silver lining," she said.

"The Peace is that moment when all hell breaks loose and the church is filled with noise as zealous Christians gallop up and down the aisles grabbing others and shaking hands or embracing them.

"We, who abhor this practice, stand helpless in our pews as those wishing to greet us bear down on us. I detest being touched and this ruins the service for me."

Miss Hemsley-Flint added: "The Peace serves no apparent purpose but to cause disruption, spread germs and impose distress to many autistic people and those suffering from dyspraxia, like myself, who have a fear of being touched.

"Let us hope this ridiculous practice is suspended permanently."

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