Nevada governor amends church restrictions after DOJ criticism

Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak late Tuesday night amended his restrictions on church reopenings, a day after a letter from the Justice Department criticized him for treating them "unequally."

Under Sisolak's news rules, churches will be allowed to reopen at a maximum capacity of 50 people beginning Friday. The previous regulation only allowed for 10 people. Sisolak's announcement came after he canceled a news conference because a member of his staff tested positive for the coronavirus.

The Justice Department's letter, dated Monday, warned Sisolak that his phased plan for reopening the state, which allows businesses but not churches greater freedom in capacity limits, is a violation of the First Amendment's free exercise clause.

"We understand these directives were issued in the midst of an uncertain situation, which may have required quick decisions based on changing information," the letter read. "We are concerned, however, that the flat prohibition against 10 or more persons gathering for in-person worship services — regardless of whether they maintain social distancing guidelines — impermissibly treats religious and nonreligious organizations unequally."

The letter echoed a similar one sent last week to California Gov. Gavin Newsom, asking that he allow churches in the state to reopen.

President Trump said during a press conference Friday that he would "override" any governor who did not let churches reopen over Memorial Day weekend.