Norwich — Bishop Michael R. Cote announced Tuesday that all public celebrations of Mass in churches of the Diocese of Norwich are temporarily suspended until further notice.

“This decision was made in light of the recommendations of (health care) professionals and Governor Ned Lamont’s executive order requiring the closure of all restaurants, bars, gyms, and movie theaters and the prohibition of civic, social, and recreational gatherings of 50 or more people, including religious, spiritual, or worship gatherings of such size,” the diocese announced.

The announcement said that priests will continue to hold a daily Mass without a congregation and pray for “all who are affected by the coronavirus pandemic.”

“Also, pastors are encouraged to make provision for their churches to be open during the day so individuals can still come and pray and make an Act of Spiritual Communion with the Lord,” the announcement said.

The Diocese of Norwich includes Middlesex, New London, Tolland, and Windham counties in Connecticut and Fishers Island, N.Y.

Updates and instructions will be posted at NorwichDiocese.org.