On Tuesday, the Department of Justice sent California Gov. Gavin Newsom a letter expressing concerns about how soon the government would allow churches to resume their in-person religious services. Constitutional issues were also raised in the said letter.

Specifically, the department's letter raised an issue with the plans of the state to sanction the continuation of in-person religious services, which is slated to begin after office work and manufacturing are allowed to begin again.

In addition, the same written communication mentioned a statement previously made by US Attorney Bill Barr saying, the government may not enforce special limitations on church worships that do not apply as well, "to similar nonreligious activity."

Moreover, the department's written communication also indicated that the stay-at-home order of the state does not seem to treat the activities of the church and similar nonreligious activities fairly.

The Governor's Stance

A spokesman for the office of the governor said that it indeed had received the letter from the Justice Department.

Gov. Newsom, on Monday, said via a news conference that some limitations on religious activities which include counseling services, as well as other activities, have been relaxed.

However, he said, "for the congregants," it would take few more weeks and not months," he elaborated.

More so, the state leader expressed how he deeply admires the religious community, as well as the ardent longing to know when exactly "the congregants can return."

Incidentally, California has started the process the reopening the activities and economy of some of its areas, following the limitations developed to avoid or at least, slow, the spread of COVID-19.

Early in Stage Two

California is presently early in "stage two," allowing curbside retail service, several manufacturing jobs, and other activities with limitations.

Meanwhile, in-person church activities, along with movie theaters and hair and nail salons, are not included yet until stage three.

And even when "stage three" takes place, based on published materials indicated on the plan, there will still be restrictions in terms of gatherings.

In relation to this, regional exclusions are being granted, "allowing some counties," according to Newsom, "to go faster into stage two."

As for the letter from the Justice Department, it indicated that churches can do similar social distancing measures as businesses do. 

As specified in the letter, the DOJ believes that there is a call from the Constitution for the state to strive in order for it to accommodate religious services, including in the Reopening Plan's Stage Two.

The Department also noted that three federal judges have declined the delaying of such limitations on church services and activities, although it also indicated that such decisions are not justifying the actions of California.

Not the First Time for the Department

This is not the first time that the Department has engaged in issues of church limitations surrounding the COVID-19 crisis. 

Specifically, as earlier reported by some news agencies, the Greenville City Council already altered its policy in response, stating that the religious activities are good to go provided that the windows are open or rolled up.

In addition, in Oklahoma, US Attorney Timothy Downing sent a letter early this month, to Norman mayor, Breea Clark explaining to her "that her plan on churches," may be violations of the right to free exercise of religion which the First Amendment protected.

Relatively, Downing urged Mayor Clark to let the church activities resume sooner. Clark, for her part, did so and revised her order.

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