Police in Medicine Hat are expected to make a statement Tuesday regarding a local church potentially breaking capacity limits during Easter services, while Alberta Health Services says it is “working closely ” with local authorities about a potential breech of restrictions meant to slow the spread of coronavirus.
Senior officials with Heights Baptist Church announced last week they intended to hold a full-capacity service despite Alberta Health orders to limit gatherings in all buildings to 15 per cent of fire code rating.
The facility, located at 1250 Division Ave. S., appeared to host a large number of worshipers for Sunday morning services as Medicine Hat police maintained a distance of about a block away.
Local church appears to defy capacity limit
Poll
Government policy
Members of the Heights Baptist Church congregation leave services on Easter Sunday. The church had advertised that it planned to hold a full capacity service despite restrictions set by health officials attempting to slow the spread of COVID-19. NEWS PHOTO COLLIN GALLANT
A church in Medicine Hat that is challenging pandemic restrictions in court appears to have held a full service on Easter Sunday despite a capacity limit put in by health officials and new calls for vigilance against COVID-19.
Heights Baptist Church on Division Avenue was one of two churches in Medicine Hat that advertised on social media that they would host their entire congregations on Sunday.