Many churches are moving their Eastern Sunday services online in South Carolina. There will be no Catholic masses taking place except through online services.
By COLE SMITHSON and SAVANNAH KENNEDY
Easter Sunday is going to look a lot different this year for those celebrating the holiday.
Churches across South Carolina are moving services online as the number of coronavirus cases continues to rise in the state.
Positive cases in South Carolina have risen to 2,792, officially surpassing experts’ estimations. South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control anticipated 2,657 cases to be confirmed by April 11.
Although Gov. Henry McMaster lifted restrictions for church services on the holiday, Charleston Bishop Robert E. Guglielmone sent a letter to all of the dioceses in the state on April 7 to disallow those services over coronavirus-related health concerns.
Church-goers of other denominations will be allowed to attend Easter Sunday services depending on what pastors and parishioners think is the best idea.
McMaster encouraged watching services from home for those most at risk and holding services outside if possible. He also recommended practicing normal social distancing if churches planned to have services inside. McMaster said he would not infringe on the First Amendment right of people to practice their religion.
Richland County has reported the highest coronavirus figures thus far, with 417 confirmed cases resulting in 10 deaths, according to DHEC. Through Thursday, there have been 67 deaths from coronavirus related complications in South Carolina total.
As of Thursday, the United States has 427,460 confirmed cases and 14,696 deaths total.
More information concerning the coronavirus can be found at scdhec.org or on the CDC’s website cdc.gov.
