Fresno could see ‘drive-in’ churches amid coronavirus pandemic, following decision
A lawsuit filed by a nonprofit civil liberties group challenging the state’s shelter-in-place order may give Fresno churches some wiggle room about how they can hold services.
As of this week, drive-in church is an option for church leaders in Fresno, according to court records recently filed by the Attorney General of California.
Although the idea has been met with some enthusiasm by at least one local council member, not everyone is on board — and some say it may even be risky.
How it works
Churches can meet in an open space like a parking lot if the parishioners stay in their cars after the Center for American Liberty sued on the grounds that the state’s coronavirus response infringed on their rights to freedom of religion.
According to the state’s shelter-in order, places of worship are not deemed essential places where people can gather in person.
Attorney General Xavier Becerra defended the state’s shelter-in-place order in documents submitted to the U.S. Eastern District Court, but left room for drive-in churches.
The order allows churches to use other technology as a means to continue services. Included in the definition of “technology” is cars, Becerra wrote in the filing.
A drive-in church is carried out much like a drive-in movie — in that attendees park and remain in their vehicles during the service. But congregants must still maintain safe distancing of at least 6 feet.
Mixed reception
Fresno Councilmember Garry Bredefeld called the development a “small victory” but said he wants churches to be allowed to open in a more robust fashion.
“We still need to remove the restrictions on churches to allow people to attend services both inside and outside the church implementing (Center of Disease Control) guidelines and social distancing,” he said.
Many churches have moved their services online either at a website or on Facebook during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Health officials have been hesitant to encourage drive-in style churches, according to Rais Vohra, Fresno County’s interim public health officer.
Even when people are asked to stay in a car, they are often tempted to get out and interact with others, he said.
“Gatherings of any kind — whether it’s for a drive-in movie theater, a drive-in faith-based event, or really anything else like that, a school parade in the cars — all of those really lead to the same risk,” he said on Monday. “And that is people sharing the car airspace in close quarters and not being able to separate households.”
Reporter Brianna Calix contributed to this report.
