Panaji, Dec 24 Prayer services with seating arrangements for limited number of persons as per government SOPs, special mass services in churches for senior citizens, and strict enforcement of face mask rule at all times during prayers are all part of the new normal amid the coronavirus pandemic as Goa gets ready to celebrate Christmas this year.
One of the most popular religious events in the coastal state, the Christmas-eve mass this time would be held as per the new rules to formally usher in the festive season, said Fr Walter D'Sa, the parish priest of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception church, one of the state's significant churches.
"The mass in our church will have only 100-seat capacity. In order to ensure that more persons can participate in the prayer services, we will hold three more services on Christmas," D'Sa said.
He said that a special prayer service will also be held for senior citizens. "Six-feet distance between two worshipers will be ensured, apart from wearing of masks even during the prayers," the priest said, adding that special arrangements have been made to record body temperature of those visiting the church for the prayer service.
"Now that we have received reports that the coronavirus has since mutated and is more dangerous than the present one, we do not want to take any chances," he said.
Meanwhile, the Archbishop of Goa, Fr Filipe Neri Ferrao, in his special Christmas message said that the festival has "the power to overcome all shades of darkness", which appears to have enveloped the world.
"Christmas this year comes amid most unprecedented circumstances: The Covid-19 pandemic is holding sway over our lives, almost like a cloud of darkness that threatens to overcome the light," he said.
Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari and Chief Minister Pramod Sawant have extended their wishes to the people of Goa on Christmas.
In view of the expected rush on Goa's beaches, the state's lifeguard service, Drishti Marine, has also stepped up surveillance. "Popular beaches such as Morjim, Arambol, Baga, Calangute, Sinquerim, Miramar, Agonda, Benaulim, Colva, Palolem and more have witnessed a spike in tourists given that it's the festive season with Christmas and New Year around the corner," Ravi Shankar, who heads operations at Drishti Marine, said.
"We have made arrangements to deploy additional lifesavers across these beaches. They will continue to patrol the beaches and keep a vigilant eye on beach goers," he added.
( With inputs from IANS )
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