Goa churches to follow COVID norms during Christmas celebrations

Christmas is one of the most celebrated festivals in Goa. This time, to usher in the festive season, a slew of rules and regulations have been imposed so as to curb the spread of the ongoing COVID-19 virus. These regulations directly impact church masses and Christmas sermons.

The new normal requires people to diligently follow all COVID norms during Christmas prayers. In Goa, churches are now ready for Christmas celebrations as per the current COVID norms laid down by the government. These include facilities for social distancing, availability of sanitisers, masks and other basic precautionary equipment.

COVID-19 regulations water down celebrations; spirits are not lost

[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Fuploads%2Foriginal%2F20200708-165234-virus_churches_60067.jpg&ho=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theitem.com&s=600&h=92da07c8ab374bae1e46bb1a3e5b6653e9f1dd0c14ec4812a2906c6bdaba4eef&size=980x&c=1584245013 photo_credit="" pin_description="" dam="0" caption="" photo_credit_src="https://www.theitem.com/uploads/original/20200708-165234-virus_churches_60067.jpg" crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Fuploads%252Foriginal%252F20200708-165234-virus_churches_60067.jpg%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.theitem.com%26s%3D600%26h%3D92da07c8ab374bae1e46bb1a3e5b6653e9f1dd0c14ec4812a2906c6bdaba4eef%26size%3D980x%26c%3D1584245013%22%7D" expand=1]

In Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Church, each mass service will be limited to only 100 people. To ensure that each and everyone can partake in the mass, there will be three services on the occasion of Christmas. Apart from that, there will be a separate, special prayer service for the elderly.

Furthermore, church goers will have to ensure social distancing- standing 6-feet apart from one another. Wearing masks at all times, even during the service, is a vital precautionary measure which must be ensured. Worshippers will also be sanitized and temperature checked as they enter the church.