The state of California on Monday issued guidelines for reopening churches, only days after President Trump threatened to “override” any states where in-person services are still banned.
The guidelines, released by the state’s Department of Public Health, ask that churches frequently sanitize pews, microphones, and other high-traffic areas in sanctuaries. They also discourage the passing of the collection or communion plate and require a distance of 6 feet between family groups. Churches are asked to shorten their services.
California became a hot spot in May for debates over religious liberty after Gov. Gavin Newsom refused to deliver a clear timeline for when he would lift his ban on church gatherings. At the time, California was one of only a few states in the country that did not permit services of any sort. Most restricted gatherings to fewer than 10 people or provided an exemption to stay-at-home orders for religious groups.
A coalition of more than 3,000 churches informed Newsom in mid-May that they would reopen at the end of the month, regardless of whether or not he lifted church restrictions. The Justice Department last week sent a letter siding with the churches and urging Newsom to allow them to reopen.
Trump weighed in on the issue during a Friday press conference in which he said that churches, synagogues, and mosques “provide essential services” and that all governors must reopen them immediately.
“The governors need to do the right thing and allow these very important, essential places of faith to open right now,” he said. “For this weekend. If they don’t do it, I will override the governors.”
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany appeared to walk back Trump’s threats to challenge governors who don’t comply, saying that the president just “wants to see churches reopen in accordance with his guidelines.”
“The president will strongly encourage every governor to allow their churches to reopen,” she said at the briefing.
