More than 1,200 California pastors say they will resume in-person services this month in defiance of the governor Gavin Newsom’s stay-at-home order to slow the spread of coronavirus.
Newsom has gradually allowed some businesses to reopen as the state’s number of virus-related hospitalizations has flattened. But churches are still banned, along with hair salons and sporting events. Newsom said Monday churches could reopen in weeks, not months.
But many churches are tired of waiting. A lawyer representing a church in Lodi that has sued Newsom said more than 1,200 pastors have signed a “declaration of essentiality” that announces their plan to reopen on 31 May while observing physical distancing and other precautions.
Attorney Robert Tyler said some pastors represent multiple churches. He expects as many as 3,000 churches across California could have in-person services on 31 May.
“This letter was not sent for the purposes of asking for permission,” he said.
The letter comes one day after the head of the US justice department’s civil rights division told Newsom in a letter that his stay-at-home order discriminates against churches and places an “unfair burden” on them.
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