CNA Staff, Jul 14, 2020 / 16:41 pm
With coronavirus cases spiking in California, the governor has issued new orders banning indoor events including public Masses in much of the state.
On Monday, Governor Gavin Newsom suspended all indoor activities at restaurants, entertainment venues, museums, and zoos throughout the entire state. In 30 counties seeing the bulk of new cases, houses of worship, gyms, and hairdressers will also be forced to halt indoor operations.
These counties, which house 80% of California's population, also cover several Catholic dioceses.
A July 13 letter from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles to local parishes called the development "discouraging." It instructed priests to discontinue indoor Masses, but noted that outdoor Masses and other prayers services, such as adoration, will be permitted.