Arizona churches begin to ease COVID restrictions as Easter Sunday nears

PHOENIX — As COVID-19 restrictions ease in Arizona and vaccinations increase, churches are making some changes.

Some are getting rid of their capacity limits as well as encouraging – instead of requiring – face coverings and social distancing.

“As the restrictions change and the guidance changes, in my experience, a lot of church and faith leaders take that guidance to make their own decisions and move forward in how they manage their places of worship,” Maria Fuentes, director of the Governor’s Office of Youth, Faith and Family, told KTAR News 92.3 FM.

She pointed out churches were exempt from implementing mitigation measures that Gov. Doug Ducey ordered when the pandemic began. Still, many implemented their own.

“They have mandated masks inside their congregations, taken severe hygiene measures, physical distancing, limiting capacity and whenever possible, a lot of churches were able to move to virtual worship,” Fuentes said.

Improving COVID-19 metrics and strides in vaccine distribution led Ducey to lift capacity limits for businesses in early March. Nearly three weeks later, he rolled back the remaining COVID-19 mitigation requirement, including local face mask mandates.

In light of those changes, churches have started to ease their own restrictions.

The Diocese of Phoenix said in a statement that it encourages parishes “to adapt and accommodate during this phase of the pandemic, particularly as we expect more people will come for Masses on Easter Sunday, while at the same time recognizing that recommendations for physical distancing, use of facial coverings and good hygiene remain good practices supported by the CDC and the medical community.”

St. Anne Roman Catholic Church in Gilbert no longer requires a 35% capacity limit for some masses, allowing more people to attend. A few of their Easter Sunday masses are fully open with no seat reservations required.

Blessed Sacrament Roman Catholic Parish in Scottsdale has lifted capacity limits altogether. Face coverings and social distancing are also now encouraged instead of required.

The Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints said it’s following the lead of the government and healthcare professions as it considers a “measured return to normal operating procedures disrupted by COVID-19.” The church has a phased approach for temples to reopen, and none have resumed normal operations.

Christ’s Church of the Valley said it’s providing a combination of in-person, online and outdoor sunrise services “to provide a multitude of options for any and all to celebrate Easter this year.”

“We know that many are still shouldering the weight of isolation, and it’s our hope that people can plug into the CCV community near, far or anywhere between,” Tyler Kurbat, marketing and communications director for CCV, said in an email.

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