California has finally lifted its COVID restrictions inside the houses of worship. On Monday, the state released its new policies following multiple Supreme Court rulings against it.
COVID Restrictions
On the state’s official website, they no longer imposed mandatory limitations but “strongly recommended” them.
“‘In response to recent judicial rulings, effective immediately, location and capacity limits on places of worship are not mandatory,” they stated. “But are strongly recommended.”
The Center for American Liberty commended the state’s response. The group has been the most active in opposing California’s governor, Gavin Newsom, on behalf of the churches.
Harmeet K. Dhillon, the center’s founder, said, “Governor Newsom should have done this a long time ago. For over a year, the state of California has targeted the faith community for discriminatory treatment depriving them of their fundamental right to worship.”
It can be remembered that many churches and faith leaders unite to come against California’s ban on indoor worship. One of which is Sean Feucht. His “Let Us Worship” movement started as a peaceful protest against the state‘s “discriminatory orders.”
Meanwhile, the Liberty Counsel is determined to pursue its case in the Ninth Circuit so that abuse against religious freedom will not happen again.
Liberty Counsel head, Mat Staver, said, “After five reprimands from the U.S. Supreme Court, Governor Gavin Newsom has finally dropped his draconian restrictions on churches.”
“While we are happy that all churches and houses of worship no longer have any restrictions, Liberty Counsel will continue our case in the Ninth Circuit in order to make sure this tyranny and abuse never happen again.”
The state’s Department of Public Health advised that places of worship with the lowest tier of concern, or under the category “yellow” or “minimal”, should cater 50% of its capacity. However, places with “widespread” or “purple” have the strictest recommendation, allowing only 25% of its capacity.
Reference: Christian Post
