Michigan Gov. Whitmer Exempts Places of Worship from Large Gathering Restriction
On Monday, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued an executive order restricting gatherings of 50 or more people in response to the coronavirus outbreak.
Now, places of worship have been added to the list of large gatherings that are exempt from these size restrictions.
After the issuing of the order on Monday, yesterday the order was updated to add a part that reads: “A place of religious worship is not subject to penalty under section 3 of Executive Order 2020-11.” Section three of the original order said that “a willful violation of this order shall constitute a misdemeanor.”
Michigan House Speaker Lee Chatfield thanked Whitmer, posting that “People have a God-given right to assemble and worship, and that right is secured by both the United States and Michigan Constitution.”
But, he added “I believe that as Christians we also have a duty to love our fellow man and play our role within society. My recommendation is to find ways that you can abide within the order to the best of your ability.”
