Chilliwack Free Reformed Church on Yale Road (seen on Dec. 1, 2020), along with Free Grace Baptist Church, held in-person services despite the Nov. 19 public health order banning indoor gatherings. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress file)

LETTER: Shops remain open, why not churches?

Why is it OK for people to be packed into stores, yet only 10 people are allowed in a worship building?

This past Saturday I went to the Cottonwood mall, and it was packed with people. I went into a drug store and noticed 10 people, shoulder to shoulder, picking out Valentine’s Day cards. I went to a grocery store and it was also extremely busy, with long checkout lines.

That night, I drove through town and again noticed how busy the restaurants and the new mini-breweries were.

Keep in mind that in all of these establishments, the mask types ranged from a proper medical-grade mask to a thin balaclava, and there was also a variety of ways people were wearing them.

So, why is it acceptable for all of these people to be packed into stores, yet only 10 people maximum are allowed in a worship building?

RELATED: No injunction against Fraser Valley churches holding services violating health orders

Our chief Public Health Officer, who wants the power to arrest anyone thinking of going to church, still lets these businesses run no problem. Malls, shops, restaurants are filled to the brim and no one is having any issue with that, but as soon as there is a church service people are up in arms. The police has even been put on site to monitor the church services. Even if people would wear masks, social distance, and have limited people allowed to attend services, churches and other places of worship are still told to remain firmly closed. This is a disgrace.

Pete DeVry

Chilliwack

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