Virginia, under the draconian rule of Democratic Governor Ralph Northam, has been leading the way in terms of awful, freedom-denying, totalitarian rules imposed during the pandemic on Churches. They’re the ones who issued an executive order that criminalizes having church services for more than 10 people, with the crime being punishable by a $2,500 fine, a year in jail, or both. Since then they’ve been hardly better, with the Department of Public Health now urging residents to snitch on anyone contravening Democrat Gov. Ralph Northam’s coronavirus orders on public gatherings, including churches.
Virginia’s health department has recently been updated with the option to make like the East German model of enforcement and anonymously report anyone not wearing masks or violating capacity restrictions, with “religious services” being a prime target. In the case of not wearing masks, according to the executive order, “Any willful violation or refusal, failure, or neglect to comply” with the mandate would be punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor, an offense that can carry up to 12 months in jail and a fine of up to $2,500.
Under Northam’s Phase Two” rules, “religious services must be limited to no more than 50% of the lowest occupancy load on the certificate of occupancy of the room or facility in which the religious services are conducted. Individuals attending religious services must be at least six feet apart when seated and must practice proper physical distancing at all times”
As Virginia gears up to enter Phase 3 July 1, with churches still being subject to rules and regulations, there is no sign that the anonymous tip line is going away anytime soon.
