The California Court of Appeal today set aside a lower court order that would have allowed indoor services to take place at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley. 

The Court of Appeal’s decision temporarily upholds the County’s Health Officer Orders prohibiting indoor worship services in order to protect congregants and the community as a whole from transmission of the highly contagious and potentially fatal COVID-19 virus.

A full hearing on the matter is scheduled for September 4. A link to the court’s ruling can be found here: http://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/lac/1076857_GraceChurchOrder.pdf

Los Angeles County issued the following statement on today’s decision:

Los Angeles County is pleased that the California Court of Appeal recognizes the vital importance of our Health Officer Orders in protecting the lives and health of our residents as we work to slow the spread of the deadly COVID-19 virus. 

We will continue to work closely with all religious institutions, including Grace Community Church, to make sure their congregants are protected and provided with accurate information about worshiping safely during this phase of the pandemic.

Outdoor religious observances are permitted; participants must wear cloth face coverings and maintain six feet of distance from each other unless they live in the same household.

The County is grateful to all residents and institutions for coming together to take the actions that will continue to move us forward, as a community, through our recovery.