For the congregation at Transformation Church in Middletown, this Easter will be a lot different than last year’s.

"We were all closed last year, we didn’t reopen until late June," said Senior Pastor Joseph Nieves of Transformation Church.

This year, they’ll be able to gather together again in person for the Christian faith's holiest day of the year.

"It is amazing," said Nieves. "I absolutely am so excited for Easter this year."

Under state guidelines, the church must cap capacity at 50 percent. To facilitate social distancing and prevent crowds, the church will hold three different in-person Easter services. It will also offer live online services. There’s a crew that will sanitize the church before and after every service.

"It’s a contactless experience," said Nieves. "People walk in, they don’t have to touch a door, they sit in a sanitized seat, everyone wears masks, everyone's seated at least six feet apart."

What You Need To Know

  • All churches in New York State must operate at 50% capacity

  • Transformation Church in Middletown has three in-person Easter services and three online services to help facilitate social distancing on Easter Sunday

  • According to Gov. Cuomo's office, religious services account for only 0.69% of COVID-19 transmissions statewide

According to data from Governor Andrew Cuomo’s office, from September to November of 2020, religious activities accounted for only 0.69 % of COVID-19 transmissions statewide.

"Church is one of the safest places you can be," said Nieves. "I think it's almost safer than home because when you gather people at your house, people are just together, maskless."

"It’s those holiday social gatherings that Orange County Health Commissioner Dr. Irina Gelman is worried about.

With Orange County’s rolling positivity rate at 6.95 percent - nearly double the statewide positivity rate - she’s asking residents to continue to practice safety protocols like masking, social distancing, and proper handwashing.

In a statement to Spectrum News, Gelman says, “Any social gathering has the potential to further spread COVID-19," especially given the presence of the COVID-19 variant that originated in the UK and the three New York mutations of interest.

But Nieves is confident Easter service will be safe for everyone this year.

"I just tell them, 'If you're OK with going to the supermarkets and to the restaurants, then give church a try.'"