Churches Begin to Reopen in Kansas City while Following Social Distancing Guidelines
Religious gatherings are now allowed in Kansas City, Missouri as long as churches maintain social distancing guidelines.
The city’s website outlines a new 10/10/10 rule in which “in-person religious gatherings (including weddings and funerals) may resume, subject to the 10/10/10 rule (if held inside), or limited to 50 people outside, provided social distancing precautions are followed.”
“The 10/10/10 rule specifies that these businesses must limit the number of individuals on-site (inclusive of employees and customers) to no more than 10 percent of building occupancy or 10 people (whichever is larger),” the city’s website adds.
While it is not mandatory, churches and businesses that are re-opening are also encouraged to record the names of customers or attendees in order to help the Kansas City Health Department “more quickly trace, test, and isolate individuals who may have been exposed to COVID-19 if an employee or customer had the virus at the time they frequented the business.”
The city’s website asserts that “all data will remain confidential and will be used only to address public health concerns and contact individuals who may have been exposed to COVID-19.”
Failure to comply with any of the required provisions will be considered to be a violation of the City’s Code of Ordinances and can be met with “fines, orders to suspend business operations, and other penalties.”
The 10/10/10 rule was initially heavily criticized for violating religious rights. Morgan Said, the director of communications for Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, clarified the policy noting that churches would not be required to provide a list of church attendees to the state, though it was recommended to ensure public health and safety, the Western Journal reports.
“We are not asking that churches provide a list immediately to the city,” she said. “Churches keep the list and only if a member tests positive, and that member attended a church function, would the church provide a list to the city.”
“Our goal isn’t to see what everyone is doing and be Big Brother,” Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas explained at the end of April, according to Fox4KC.
The 10/10/10 plan went into effect at 12:01 am on May 6. While non-essential retail stores and personal care services can resume in-person operations; gyms, museums, bars, restaurants and movie theaters will not reopen until May 15.
Photo courtesy: ©Sparrowstock
Milton Quintanilla is a freelance writer. Visit his blog Blessed Are The Forgiven.
