The pandemic had already dulled this year's celebrations, but the community believed there would be fewer restrictions for Christmas. However, the state government's last-minute decision limiting the number of parishioners to 50 at the Mass dashed their hopes. The curb was enforced in view of the fear surrounding a new strain of novel Coronavirus that was recently found in England.

Disappointed, the community had asked, "Is Coronavirus going to strike only on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day?" The Association of Concerned Catholics (AOCC), which has its strongest base in Mumbai, even wrote to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and Home Minister Anil Deshmukh on December 24, requesting to ease the curbs and allow 200 people, but in vain.