Santa Clara County announced Monday indoor worship services are back after two court decisions ruled indoor faith services can’t be banned during the pandemic.
Services must be kept at 20% capacity and face coverings and social distancing are required.
They added singing and chanting are not allowed.
“We are disappointed by the temporary order of the federal district court,” said the county in a statement. “COVID-19 continues to pose a serious risk in our community, and unfortunately no court decision can decree otherwise."
The U.S. Supreme Court last Friday ruled that churches and other places of worship in California could reopen indoor services at 25% capacity, and Santa Clara County was the lone holdout.
On Monday, a federal judge with the U.S. District Court for Northern California issued a temporary order saying indoor worship can resume at 20% capacity.
Despite the order, Santa Clara County's health officer still strongly discourages any indoor church services.
