Churches are allowed to stay at 75% capacity during Phase 2

Louisiana enters Phase 2 after an increase in positive COVID-19 cases

Explains.

Princess jhane the state of louisiana is now fighting its third surge of covid-19.

Governor john bel edwards says that the virus is moving quickly, so to slow the growing surge, he has even further limited capacity in majortiy of plublic places - but*not in churches.

Houses of worship remain at 75 percent capacity.

I spoke with one pastor in lafayette who says social distancing has never been an issue at his church.

Zach sot "w're around a hundred member church so i's not that big of a church.

We ca't do the capacity thing, we can only get around twenty to twentyfive people in our sanctuary with social distancing if you consider like a six foot radius."pastor sasser says many in his congregation are elderly, so he worships outside and online when necessary.

Goernor john bel edwards says churches and places of worship should still remain cautious.

Governor sot remember tha's a maximum, you still have to be able to physicqally distance six feet between members who are not apart of the same household.

Obviously masking is important throughout this and the mask mandate remains in effect.

Pastor sasser says this pandemic has been the hardest time for his church in all of its 144 years of existence.

Zach sot"w've been through oil booms and bust and this is the longest period of time that the church has ever not met with any regularity as a whole church and it is very hard but because w're looking at it from a perspective of faith tha's what holds us together."

Pastor sasser says he realizes restrictions applying to some and not others may seem unfair - but he believes wha's really unfair is risking everyon's health.

Princess jhanepastor sasser says this sunday is the first sunday of advent where they will light a candle on an advent reaf that will symbolize hope and tha's what he wants everyone to have at this time, hope.

In lafayette, princess jhan?

Stepherson-lowry, news 15.