Virginia Gov. Northam defends stay-at-home order for church

<p>Virginia Gov. Ralph Northamdefended his decision to enforce executive orders limiting in-person gatherings during the coronavirus pandemic, which have been challenged by a Virginia church after its pastor received a citation and summons for holding a 16-person service in early April.</p><p>"I understand, people are upset by our decisions but I'm not standing up here to punish people. I'm standing up here representing 8.5 million Virginians and doing what's in the best interest of them to keep them safe to get this health crisis behind us and to get our economy up and running again," he said.</p><p>Lighthouse Fellowship Church in Chincoteague Island, Virginia says the executive order violates the First Amendment by improperly restricting religious gatherings at houses of worship while allowing comparable secular gatherings to continue unimpeded.</p><p>On Sunday, federal prosecutors submitted a statement of interest in support of the church after it filed a lawsuit in federal district court challenging Northam's orders in federal court. The church noted large crowds at big-box retailers, as well as how social distancing guidelines have been successfully followed at Northam's own press conferences. The church, which is represented by Liberty Counsel, appealed to the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.</p><p>Counsel to the Governor Rita Davis said the stay-at-home orders are not meant to target specific religious groups or businesses.</p><p>"While we, the administration applauds and encourages the Department of Justice for standing up Virginia's civil liberties, we continue to believe that the governor's authority was both prudent necessary and constitutional, and we look forward to the Fourth Circuit confirming that."</p>