As people across the country get ready to celebrate Easter on Sunday, the UAE authorities along with church officials urge people to keep their safety in mind and follow all the preventive protocols required against Covid-19.

Fr Nilo Ramos-Resco, MSP, parochial vicar at St Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Ras Al Khaimah, told Gulf News: “Easter is a time to rejoice and celebrate hope and renewal. But the pandemic has led to a different type of celebration as the world is seeking to contain coronavirus. Even though our religious celebrations of Easter are restricted again this year, our faith is not diminished.”

In his message, directed towards churchgoers, Fr. Nilo urged people to strictly abide by the health and safety protocol. “Please observe social distancing, always wear face masks, sanitize your hands regularly. Everyone entering the church will go through a sanitation tunnel,” said Fr Nilo, adding: “There are only a limited number of congregants allowed inside. So we have set up LED screens at the church compound, but although it’s outdoors, social distancing must still be observed.”

In order to prevent a large number of congregations from gathering in the church, many churches arranged for online services and some over launched registrations allowing limited numbers of people to attend the mass. St Mary’s Catholic Church in Dubai made a similar arrangement by putting in place pre-registration, strictly allowing only 250 people to attend the morning (6.30 am) or evening (7 pm) service. On the other hand, St Joseph’s Cathedral in Abu Dhabi has made pre-booking compulsory for all its masses until April 4. In order to give an equal chance to all to attend the service, church officials asked parishioners to book one applicant only once.

Pastor Jim Burgess from Fellowship Church in Jebel Ali told Gulf News: “For the second year in a row, Fellowship Evangelical and other churches will not be able to gather at the beach for our sunrise services. Instead, we will celebrate online and all are welcome to join us.”