Panaji, Apr 11 (IANS): Extending Easter greetings to the state, both Goa Governor Satya Pal Malik and Chief Minister Pramod Sawant urged people to maintain social distancing in view of the COVID-19 crisis.

"The entire country is under the lockdown to contain COVID-19 pandemic. I appeal everyone to celebrate the festival and offer prayer from their respective homes without disregarding the social distancing measures," Malik said in his message to the state, even as Sawant also expressed a similar sentiment.

"Goans should take necessary precautions and follow strict social distancing during this ongoing lock down period," Sawant said.

While Archbishop Filipe Neri Rodrigues has directed the 26 per cent Catholic population of Goa to refrain from regularly attending prayer services in Church and during the ongoing Holy Week leading up to Easter Sunday, several churches have rigged live-stream set ups so that the special prayer services are broadcast on social media channels for mass viewing.

The Holy Week signifies a spell of reflection and penance for the Christian community begins from Maundy Thursday (April 9) which commemorates Jesus' last supper with his disciples; Good Friday (April 10), which honours the day of his crucifixion; and Holy Saturday (April 11), which focuses on the transition between the crucifixion and resurrection. The Holy Week culminates with Easter Sunday.