The federal government has deemed churches are workplaces so the clergy can conduct religious services over the Easter break - in an otherwise empty church, and broadcast them to parishioners online.

But the Anglican Diocese of Newcastle has decided not to take up the government's offer and instead chosen to have parish priests conduct services from their homes.

"The decision is about being in solidarity with all of our people who aren't able to get to church at the moment," St Peter's Anglican Church Reverend Scott Dulley said.

"Doing this still provides the opportunity for people to be connected with each other, which is really important at a time like this. Physical isolation doesn't have to lead to social isolation, and this is just one of the ways we can do it.

"I've set up a little makeshift chapel in our lounge room for the services."

Reverend Dulley acknowledged the online services wouldn't be the same as being with other parishioners in the church. He said it was the next best thing in these challenging times.

"It will be a change in the physical way that people celebrate Easter," he said.

"The holy week of Easter means people usually go to church more often than they normally would - it is a special time of the year.

"We are going to have a few services over the Easter break. On Thursday at 7pm there will be our eucharist. On Good Friday we are going to have a solemn liturgy at 9am and then at 7pm we are going to have a Good Friday reflection. On Easter Sunday we will have our eucharist at 9am.

"All of these will be live streamed on our Facebook page, St Peter's Church, Anglican Parish of East Maitland."

Reverend Dulley has been offering online services for a few weeks now and has received positive feedback from parishioners.

Catholic services, from Sacred Heart Cathedral, are also being conducted online.

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