Reopened SC church closes again after members exposed to coronavirus at services

COLUMBIA, S.C. — A small South Carolina church is closing its doors for the next month after its congregation was exposed to coronavirus at this past Sunday's services.

First Baptist Church of North, South Carolina, announced in a Facebook post that about 40 people worshiping at the church on Sunday were exposed to someone who has since tested positive for COVID-19.

Pastor Sean McElrath said the church is warning its members to take precautions such as quarantining themselves and getting tested.

In a since-deleted post on the church's Facebook page, the church wrote, “We regret to inform you that if you attended our service this past Sunday, May 24, that you have been exposed to COVID-19. We strongly encourage you to quarantine yourself until you can get tested.”

The church also said it would cancel all in-person services through the month of June. McElrath said First Baptist had only reopened for in-person services three weeks ago.

“We've taken great measures” to try to keep worshipers safe since reopening, McElrath said, including providing face masks, gloves and hand sanitizer, and keeping the church doors open so congregants would not need to touch the door handles. He stressed the individual was not displaying symptoms at the time of the service and had been tested but had not yet received the results.

Many churches across the country have moved away from holding in-person services due to the coronavirus outbreak, even in states like South Carolina where they haven't been legally required to. Executive orders issued by Gov. Henry McMaster have exempted worship services from orders limiting gatherings of three or more people, and Attorney General Alan Wilson has issued opinions that religious and political gatherings are exempt from restrictions on First Amendment grounds.

But health experts warn that any large gathering risks spreading the coronavirus, and urge everyone to continue to practice social distancing and other precautions.

President Donald Trump has pushed states to reopen churches for services as the reopening process continues.

In North, the pastor said he hopes to continue to use the church's social media platforms to reach people during stressful times.

“As Southern Baptists, we have an unwavering belief in the sovereignty of God,” McElrath said, “and while this is an unfortunate situation, God ultimately means this pandemic for our good and his glory.”