While Americans are celebrating Easter, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear is warning residents there will be repercussions if they choose to attend mass gatherings.
The state’s stay-at-home order took effect on March 26 with no end date in sight. Beshear is imploring residents to take the order seriously and is imposing a new measure to monitor whether they are or not.
According to Beshear, if any resident is attending a mass gathering the state knows about, they are going to record license plates and provide the information to health departments. The health departments will then order the residents to be quarantined for 14 days.
Beshear recognizes the significance of Easter weekend but also recognizes the importance of staying home.
“I hope everybody knows that even on a weekend like this, we cannot have in-person gatherings of any type,” Beshear said.
Watch his comments below:
He added, “We absolutely cannot bring people together in one building like that because that is how the coronavirus spreads, and that’s how people die.”
The governor’s announcement comes shortly after the Department of Justice announced it would be monitoring “regulation” of religious services.
“During this sacred week for many Americans, AG Barr is monitoring govt regulation of religious services,” the DOJ tweeted. “While social distancing policies are appropriate during this emergency, they must be applied evenhandedly and not single out religious orgs. Expect action from DOJ next week!”
During this sacred week for many Americans, AG Barr is monitoring govt regulation of religious services. While social distancing policies are appropriate during this emergency, they must be applied evenhandedly & not single out religious orgs. Expect action from DOJ next week!
— Kerri Kupec DOJ (@KerriKupecDOJ) April 12, 2020
Religious leaders are being held accountable for holding services amid the coronavirus outbreak. Some religious leaders have even been arrested.
Pastor Rodney Howard-Browne of The River at Tampa Bay Church was arrested for holding services in the midst of a stay-at-home order, as IJR previously reported.
Other governors are facing criticism for neglecting to include religious gatherings in stay-at-home orders including Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, as IJR previously reported.