Colorado Governor says houses of worship are “essential,” removes attendance limits

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – The governor of Colorado has declared that houses of worship provide “essential” services that are no longer subject to COVID-19 restrictions on attendance numbers, Christian Headlines reports.

In a new order issued December 7, Gov. Jared Polis decreed worship services, funerals and weddings can go over recommended capacity limits if “they cannot conduct their essential activity” within the current restrictions. The previous order limited religious gatherings to 50 people or 25% of the building’s capacity.

Polis made his new determination some two months after the district court ruled state restrictions on houses of worship likely violated First Amendment rights to freedom of religion, Christian Headlines said. The challenge to Polis’ original restrictions on houses of worship was brought by Liberty Counsel on behalf of Andrew Wommack Ministries.

Nevertheless, participants at church services must wear masks and practice six feet of social distancing “between members of different households.” Although this is probably unfeasible during winter, the order adds that outdoor services “are still strongly preferred.”

Christian Headlines notes that Polis’ new determination followed November’s US Supreme Court injunction blocking restrictions imposed on houses of worship by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

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