While government officials continue to make new plans to fight COVID-19, the council of one city in Manitoba is also calling their citizens to prayer.

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, Steinbach City Council has decided to declare Sunday, March 22 a day of prayer.

Councillor Susan Penner brought the idea before council this week and it was met with unanimous support.

"We are in unprecedented times right now and since Steinbach has such a strong faith-based community and church community," Penner says.

"It seemed appropriate to designate such a day for us to join together to pray for the pandemic that is happening, for our community, the region, province, country, and world."

Mayor Earl Funk says even as many churches hold their services online this week, everyone who is interested can still partake in a day of prayer.

"We are just reaching out to churches and anyone in the community that would like to have a day of prayer for the crisis that we are going through at this time. It is very informal, it is just a simple ask to remember all of our areas and our entire globe."

Funk notes they will be contacting church leader leaders directly to invite them to be a part of the day of prayer.