The iconic statue of Christ the Redeemer in Rio De Janeiro lit up to honour the healthcare staff working in hospitals across the country amid the coronavirus.

With churches closed due to the restrictions on the movement of people imposed by the local authorities to contain the spread of the virus, Archbishop Orani Tempesta on Sunday carried out an Easter ceremony alone at the foot of the statue, some 709 metres above sea level, reports Efe news.

Flags from countries affected by COVID-19, including China, the US, Spain, Italy and Brazil, were projected onto the 38-meter-high Christ the Redeemer.

Messages written by children that read “Everything will be alright” were also displayed.

At the end, an image was projected on the statue that “dressed” the Christ in a doctor’s coat, a tribute to the healthcare staff working in hospitals and risking their own lives at the forefront of the fight against the COVID-19.

Words such “Thanks” and “Hope” written in several languages were displayed on the statue along with “Stay home for us, for everyone. We are in this together”.