A temporary restraining order has been issued against a San Jose church that has continued to hold large indoor services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A court agreed Monday that Calvary Chapel San Jose’s actions "pose a threat to the broader community" in issuing the ruling. Despite already receiving more than $350,000 in fines, the church has continued to hold services, including live streaming them on social media.
Santa Clara County sued the San Jose church over its weekly services, which officials said violate coronavirus public health orders. The church holds weekly services of up to 600 people without masks or social distancing requirements, Santa Clara County Counsel James Williams told KCBS Radio last week.
"These are the basic safety precautions to help keep not only their congregants safe, but the entire wider community safe from serious illness or death," he said.
The county allows indoor religious services of up to 100 people. Williams said that with the exception of Calvary, countywide compliance hasn’t been a problem.
"So many in our faith community have really come together to support the health orders and to find safe ways to practice their faith," Williams noted.
He added that the county has been trying to work with the church.
"We always begin with education and outreach and, almost always, that’s all that it takes to help a business or a nonprofit organization come into compliance," Williams said.
KCBS Radio has reached out to Calvary Chapel for comment, but has not yet heard back.
Another hearing regarding the case is scheduled December 1.
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