President Donald Trump of the United State has on Friday ordered Governors to allow religious centres in their states to re-open, adding that if they failed this week, he would override the governors.
Trump said: “The governors need to do the right thing and allow these very important essential places of faith to open right now. For this weekend. If they don’t do it, I will override the governors. In America, we need more prayer, not less.”
He announced that new Centres for Disease Control guidance will classify houses of worship as “essential.”
He told Governors to allow them to open “right now” after being closed during the coronavirus lockdowns.
Trump announced the policy for churches, synagogues and mosques during a short briefing at the White House.
“The governors need to do the right thing and allow these very important essential places of faith to open right now–for this weekend,” Trump said.
“If they don’t do it, I will override the governors.”
“In America, we need more prayer not less,” Trump said.
“I consider them essential,” Trump said earlier Friday of houses of worship of all faiths.
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On Thursday, Trump had a conference call with 1,600 pastors and faith leaders from around the country, including Tony Perkins, President of the Family Research Council.
He reassured them he wants to get churches reopened.
Trump telegraphed the decision Thursday when he announced he spoke to the CDC on finding ways to reopen houses of worship during the pandemic.
“We’ve got to get our churches open,” Trump said Thursday.
Some faith leaders have argued that social distancing rules have violated First Amendment religious freedoms.
Others have defied state and local rules and tried to reopen.