California's public health officer has announced that places of worship can immediately reopen for indoor religious services and funerals, with restrictions.
While the state is still encouraging organizations to hold services online, the California Department of Public Health has released new guidelines which include training all staff and volunteers on COVID-19 prevention, cleaning and disinfecting frequency, physical distancing, temperature checks and encouraging staff and guests to wear face coverings.
Attendance will be limited to 25% capacity with no more than 100 people total, collection plates will be forbidden and churches are encouraged to limit or temporarily do away with choirs.
Counties also have the authority to extend their own bans on indoor services and events.
“Together, our actions have helped bend the curve and reduce infections in our state. As sectors continue to open with changes that aim to lower risk, remember that COVID-19 is still present in our communities,” said Dr. Sonia Angell, State Public Health Officer and Director of the California Department of Public Health.
Governor Gavin Newsom has been under increasing pressure from the Trump administration and some California pastors to allow indoor services once again, although a federal court recently upheld the Governor's restrictions.
The state has also expanded in-store retail shopping. Whereas before counties needed to get approval from the state to relax those restrictions, in-store shopping is now approved statewide, although individual counties can continue to limit retail. The relaxed restrictions do not apply to personal services like hair or nail salons.
The state says it will review the impact of lifting these guidelines in three weeks.