Inslee issues guidance on resuming religious gatherings - including weddings and funerals

OLYMPIA -- Gov. Jay Inslee says in-person religious gatherings are still discouraged in Washington as the state slowly loosens coronavirus restrictions, but if they "must be done in person," there are new guidelines for doing so.

"With frequent reports of spiritual gatherings becoming COVID-19 'superspreader' events in which a single service results in dozens of new COVID-19 infections, if possible, spiritual worship should continue to be done remotely or at a drive-in service," the governor's office said.

Religious gatherings are now permitted as long as the following requirements are met:

**Volunteers are included in the maximum number of people allowed to attend.**

Services covered under the new guidelines include all worship services, religious study classes, religious ceremonies, religious holiday celebrations, weddings and funerals.

Groups holding these services are "strongly encouraged" to keep a log of attendees and to keep the log for at least two weeks in case an outbreak happens.

"If an outbreak occurs, this information may be critical to help save lives," Inslee said.

Religious and faith-based organizations have to meet the following requirements in order to operate:

Each organization must have a Covid-19 supervisor to monitor the health of employees and enforce the safety plan.

Read the full directive here.