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A North Carolina federal judge has issued a temporary order blocking the enforcement of Gov. Roy Cooper’s restrictions on indoor worship services amid COVID-19.
“There is no pandemic exception to the Constitution of the United States or the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment,” federal Judge James C. Dever III, of the Eastern District of North Carolina, wrote in the order, Neuse News reported on May 16.
Several churches and religious groups challenged the governor's order that banned indoor worship services with more than 10 people, however, there was no restriction on attendees for outdoor gatherings.
Dever questioned the differing restrictions that have been placed on religious services compared to funeral services, Neuse News reported.
“The Governor's counsel could not explain why the Governor trusts those who run funerals to have 50 people inside to attend the funeral, but only trusts religious entities and individuals to have 10 people inside to worship,” Dever wrote, the Neuse News reported.
A spokesperson for the governor said that while Cooper has no plans to appeal the temporary restraining decision, he does want places of worship to follow public health guidelines to ensure the safety of its worshippers.
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