Drive-up Religious Services Allowed For Easter: Riverside County

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Drive-up church services that practice proper social distancing will be allowed this weekend in Riverside County, but only through the Easter holiday, it was announced late Friday afternoon.

County Executive Officer George Johnson issued the clarification.

The special allowance for drive-up services is in effect April 10-12 only.

"Drive-up service means residents do not get out of their cars, do not roll down their windows, and do not pass things between cars, such as texts, communion or collection baskets," Brooke Federico, Riverside County's public information officer, told City News Service.

Under an existing county order, residents are prohibited from gathering through April 30.

"Health officials continue to believe that residents should remain at home and only travel for essential services, such as grocery shopping, trips to the pharmacy and purchasing gasoline," according to a county news release announcing the clarification.

Residents are also required to wear a face covering whenever they leave their homes, the county stated.

Some in the community have argued an exemption to the county's gathering ban should be made for religious services, while many faith leaders have supported the prohibition.

Most houses of worship have been live streaming services online during the gathering ban.

READ MORE: Ban On Religious Gatherings Targeted In Riverside County

RELATED FROM SAN DIEGO COUNTY: No In-Person Easter Church Services, SD Federal Judge Rules

SEE MORE: April 10 Coronavirus Update For Riverside County: Numbers, News

Don't miss updates about the coronavirus in California as they are announced. Sign up for Patch news alerts and newsletters.