KY Attorney General says drive-thru church services allowed after Louisville mayor bans the activity

daniel-cameron-01-22
daniel-cameron-01-22

Attorney General Daniel Cameron has responded after Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer on Thursday banned drive-thru church services in that city.

Hopkins County Judge-Executive Jack Whitfield Jr., whose county has been hit hard by the coronavirus (COVID-19) after a Dawson Springs Church held two in-person revival services in mid-March, had been weighing the idea of banning drive-thru services as well.

In a press release on Friday, Cameron said the services are allowed as long as social distancing guidelines are followed:

“We are aware that some Kentucky jurisdictions are discussing a prohibition of drive-in church services for the upcoming Easter holiday. As long as religious groups and worshippers are complying with current Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations for social distancing to slow the spread of COVID-19, we see no problem with these drive-in services occurring.

Religious organizations should not be treated any differently than other entities that are simultaneously conducting drive-through operations, while also abiding by social distancing policies. As long as Kentuckians are permitted to drive through liquor stores, restaurants, and other businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, the law requires that they must also be allowed to participate in drive-in church services, consistent with existing policies to stop the spread of COVID-19. 

We must all continue to work together and do our part to fight back against COVID-19. However, individuals who wish to celebrate religious holidays using a format that follows social distancing policies and CDC guidelines should not be unnecessarily banned from doing so.”

Gov. Andy Beshear said on Friday that anyone who attends an indoor worship service will have their license plates recorded by Kentucky State Police and reported to local health departments.

Health department employees will then contact the parishioners who attended the in-person service and alert them that they must quarantine for 14 days, according to Beshear.

There are churches in Kentucky that have continued to hold in-person services, including Maryville Baptist Church in Hillview, in northern Bullitt County.

Beshear added that the safest place to worship is at home, as he invited Kentuckians to watch the Easter Sunday worship services of his church , Beargrass Christian in Louisville, online if they do not have a place to worship.

(Photo: Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron)

By Ken Howlett, News Director

Contact Ken at ken@k105.com