New York Allows Really Small Religious Gatherings

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo says gathering together for religious ceremonies is an important comfort especially in dealing with the fears and anxieties of the coronavirus crisis. Now some of those gatherings are being allowed but on a very limited scale.

The state began allowing very small religious gatherings May 21 after worshipers were kept away for important observances like Easter and Passover in April.

Only groups of ten or less, however, are being allowed to get together with the exception of parking lot and drive-in services that some churches began holding in the early days of the COVID-19 response.

People gathering for religious observances must observe social distancing and wear facial coverings.

Cuomo pointed out that many instances of a fast spread of the virus have come from religious gatherings downstate where one person in attendance had infected dozens of others.