{"id":220812,"date":"2020-03-26T18:53:03","date_gmt":"2020-03-26T23:53:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.liveaction.org\/news\/?p=220812"},"modified":"2020-03-28T15:50:28","modified_gmt":"2020-03-28T20:50:28","slug":"virginia-governor-will-fine-churches-gathering-allows-abortion-businesses-stay-open","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/archive.liveaction.org\/news\/virginia-governor-will-fine-churches-gathering-allows-abortion-businesses-stay-open\/","title":{"rendered":"Virginia could fine churches for gathering, but lets abortion businesses stay open"},"content":{"rendered":"
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On Monday, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam ordered<\/a> all retail stores in the state to restrict in-person customers to 10 at a time amid the COVID-19 pandemic. He advised churches to follow the same rule. Then on Tuesday, it became a crime<\/em> to break that order, even for churches. Meanwhile, no restrictions<\/em>\u00a0appear to have been placed on abortion businesses.<\/p>\n

An executive order handed down<\/a>\u00a0on Tuesday made it a misdemeanor for more than 10 people to be in the same space in Virginia. Executive Order 53 requires that all “brick-and-mortar business” not considered essential must limit in-person activity, stating, “If any such business cannot adhere to the 10-patron limit with proper social distancing requirements, it must close.” If a business is found to be in violation of the order it “may be charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor” which is punishable<\/a> by up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $2,500. Churches are included, as the website states<\/a>, “Places of worship that do conduct in-person services must limit gatherings to 10 people, to comply with the statewide 10-person ban.”<\/p>\n

READ:\u00a0Virginia delegates walk out as pastor prays for protection for preborn children<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti has stated<\/a>\u00a0that the government can’t legally force churches to close but they are asking them to voluntarily shut down or limit services. However, Northam is essentially ordering churches to limit services to 10 people or face serious consequences.\u00a0While closing down businesses and keeping people at safe distances from each other is necessary during a global pandemic like this one, Virginia is allowing abortion businesses to remain open<\/em>.<\/p>\n

On Wednesday, Northam issued<\/a> another order<\/a> that “directed all hospitals to stop performing elective surgeries or procedures to help conserve supplies of personal protective equipment….” Excluded from the order are “family planning services and procedures.” Abortion is not essential health care, but based on this order, Northam believes it is, to the point that he is willing to allow elective abortions to continue during the pandemic. Abortion businesses in the state will use critical and dwindling supplies desperately needed by emergency workers on the front lines of Covid-19, so they can end the lives of innocent preborn humans beings for profit.<\/p>\n

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