Jessie Wardarski / Associated Press
A federal appeals court this week quashed New York’s capacity restrictions on faith services in areas with high rates of COVID-19, much to the praises of houses of worship.
The state’s regulations, part of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s microcluster strategy, apply to faith-based services in designated “red” and “orange” zones, like in Erie County. In red zones, the state restricts houses of worship to the lesser of 25% maximum capacity or 10 people. In orange zones, it is 33% capacity or 25 people. That compares to 50% capacity in yellow zones.
The court’s decision to strike down these limits came a month after the U.S. Supreme Court temporarily blocked New York from enforcing those caps. The religious groups that brought the case the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn and Agudath Israel of America said that the rules violate the First Amendment and discriminate against them.
BINGHAMTON, NY (WSKG) A federal appeals court quashed New York’s capacity restrictions on faith services in areas with high rates of COVID-19 earlier this week.
The state’s regulations, part of Governor Andrew Cuomo’s microcluster strategy, apply to faith-based services in designated “red” and “orange” zones, like in parts of Chemung County. The orange zone there, first announced in October, stretches from Elmira to Horseheads. Per state guidance, religious services in that zone can have up to 25 people present, or one-third of their normal capacity; whichever allows for fewer people.
The first in-person Mass in almost four months at Saint Bartholomew Roman Catholic Church in Queens, New York, back in July. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)