President Donald Trump has demanded that US state governors allow places of worship to reopen immediately, as the country gradually moves towards lifting coronavirus lockdown measures.
Trump during a news conference at the White House on Friday said;
Today I am identifying houses of worship — churches, synagogues and mosques — as essential places that provide essential services.
The governors need to do the right thing and allow these very important essential places of faith to open right now, for this weekend. If they don’t do it, I will override the governors. In America, we need more prayer, not less.
Many governors have restricted houses of worship from holding group services to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
However, in some areas, churches have opened under strict social distancing rules, while in others, pastors and priests have held services outdoors, with worshippers staying in their cars.
Trump have now said houses of worship should be designated as essential service and allowed to open like drug stores, restaurants, supermarkets, hospitals and health clinics, as well as stores that sell alcohol.
He stated;
Some governors have deemed liquor stores and abortion clinics as essential but have left out churches and other houses of worship. It’s not right.
However an intended override of the authority of governors by Trump is questionable.
States, not the federal government, imposed the restrictions on residents and businesses to try to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
The White House only released guidelines for states and regional leaders to follow as they combat the disease.
