Palm Sunday quiet and empty at the Santa Barbara Mission

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - The normally crowded Santa Barbara Old Mission had only a few people around the property on Palm Sunday.

The upcoming Holy Week is expected to be the same during the coronavirus crisis with strict "Stay Well at Home" orders despite this coming Sunday being Easter Sunday.

On Palm Sunday, when masses would have been held and hundreds would be coming and going all day, the doors of the landmark church were locked. A coronavirus message was on the door.

Many churches are holding services online.

At the landmark mission, palms were on both sides of the entrance. Some people took pictures but left a few minutes later.

Nearby, very few people were on the Rose Garden lawn. In recent days, gatherings there raised concerns about social distancing issues and enforcement.

The Santa Barbara City Parks and Recreation Department has posted signs banning gatherings in these areas except for very limited exercise, but no fitness groups or classes are permitted.