By Francis Ogwo
U.S President Donald Trump has ordered the reopening of religious activities this weekend, thereby bringing an end to the shutdowns put in place to contain the coronavirus pandemic.
Trump made this proclamation in the form of a verbal order from the briefing room of the White House.
“Today I am identifying houses of worship – churches, synagogues and mosques – as essential places that provide essential services,” Trump said, meaning they can be open during the pandemic.
According to him, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) will be issuing guidance “at my direction,” even though no directives from the CDC had been issued at the time of making the speech.
This comment, according to reports, is coming in the wake of reports that there has been hesitation by public health officials in releasing recommendations for religious houses to reopen as church closures have stoked parts of Trump’s conservative base.
While there is a division on the lockdown orders, the entire country is reportedly scared of the virus with the Republicans not much bothered and may even want it opened faster.
Speaking further Trump said, “I call upon governors to allow our churches and places of worship to open, right now,” while adding that “the people are demanding” to be able to attend services at churches, synagogues, and mosques.
Trump further threatened to “override” hindering in-person worship, even though, reports say he may not have the authority to carry it out.
The White House Spokesman, Kayleigh McEnany, did not make clear the provisions of the law that can back up the President’s plan of overriding the orders of local public health as it was a normal practice for the judiciary to review decisions by governors who violate state or federal constitutions.
Earlier, churches got the backing of the U.S. Justice Department as it backed churches in their suits against states on their closure, while insisting that houses of worship should be regarded as essential businesses.
Under the U.S. Constitution, religion is fully protected, with observers lamenting that the church closures had over the period, generated controversy.
This is also with a call by Conservative groups requesting for a more flexible rule on churches even though the virus was traced to some worship places.
While the argument lasted, some pastors went against orders on public health and held services.
States controlled by Republicans however, are making cases for a faster reopening of the economy while the Democrats controlled areas as being diplomatic in their push.
Reports revealed that In California which is the most populated state in the country, over 3,000 churches may open later this month despite the orders on public health, even though churches and other religious services were categorized together with movie theaters and hair salons, according to the reopening plan of California.
