COVID-19 is affecting the holiday season, but religious services are still open. The state has issued recommendations about distancing, masking, and meeting remotely when possible, but has said from the beginning of the pandemic that places of worship can operate as they see fit.
State officials have acknowledged the virus can be spread through religious gatherings. State Health Commissioner Doctor Kris Box noted that recently.
“I would say that of the top four or five contact tracing events that we have, there is a spike every week on Sunday related to church events,” Box said.
Some faith communities are making adjustments on their own.
Father Patrick Hyde of St. Paul Catholic Center in Bloomington said the center has limited capacity of services. The church asks parishioners to sign-up online to attend Mass.
“We’re adding Christmas services because sometimes people only want to go to Christmas," he said.
He said church leaders are aware not everyone feels safe attending in person and take that into account.
Most places of worship have the option of watching an online service and have adjusted protocol.
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