Just days after President Donald Trump called churches “essential” and threatened to override governors if they didn't allow them to open, the governor and the local health department giving places of worship the green light to reopen. The governor saying, once county public health departments give approval, churches can reopen under strict guidelines.
Some of these guidelines include:
- Staff, volunteers and congregants are strongly recommended to wear face masks when in the vicinity of others
- Congregants should be screened for temperature and other symptoms
- Staff must be screened with temperature checks before their shifts
- Consider shortening services to minimize the amount of time people that are congregated together
- Seating and podium areas must be rearranged to allow for 6 feet of space between people
Upon 21-days, the California Department of Public Health, in consultation with county Departments of Public Health, will review and assess the impact of these imposed limits on public health and provide further direction as part of a phased-in restoration of activities in places of worship.
Just after these guidelines were released, 23ABC followed up with Angelo Frazier, the Outreach Pastor at Riverlakes Community Church. Frazier tells us this is the clarity he has been looking for, but they will have to have some discussions before moving forward. As of right now, he does not have a specific date in regards to re-opening. In the meantime, you can live stream their services below. https://www.riverlakeschurch.org/index.php/rcc/news
