COVID-19: Government ban singing in worship places

In order to stop the rapid spread of COVID-19, the California government has banned singing, chanting during church services.   

According to the state’s Department of Public Health; “Practices and performances present an increased likelihood for transmission of COVID-19 through contaminated exhaled droplets and should occur through alternative methods like internet streaming.”

The health department had previously only asked places of worship to “strongly consider” stop singing, but an updated guidline document issued on Wednesday says they must stop all singing and chanting activities, in addition to limiting capacity to 25% or a maximum of 100 guests.

Presently, California has more than 24,000 coronavirus cases.

The US state announced 6,367 cases on Tuesday, which is the second-highest total for the state since the pandemic started.

This has prompted Gov. Gavin Newsom to impose the restrictions. COVID-19 patients make up for about 30% of all hospitalizations, according to state data.