COVID-19: Amended B.C. health order allows for outdoor religious gatherings

In-person religious gatherings are once again allowed in B.C. but only outdoors.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry relaxed the current health order on Tuesday.

Organizers of outdoor services will still need to have a COVID-19 safety plan in place to ensure everyone follows the rules.

Services are still not allowed to take place inside at this time.

2:10 Churches considering appeal of court ruling upholding ban on in-person religious services

The ban on in-person services has been one of the most contentious issues during the pandemic.

Several churches in B.C. have violated the rules and have been fined, with some even taking the province to court.

The Riverside Calvary Chapel in Langley, Immanuel Covenant Reformed Church in Abbotsford and the Free Reformed Church of Chilliwack lost their appeal in B.C. Supreme Court a few weeks ago.

B.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice Christopher Hinkson found Henry’s order did infringe on religious rights, but that the infringement was reasonable and proportionate.

The lawyer representing the churches said that banning religious gatherings but allowing pubs and stores to remain open amounts to religious discrimination.

2:03 Growing frustration over church closures in B.C.

-with files from Simon Little