Health & Fitness
CoCo Pastor Cited For Violating County Health Order: Coronavirus
A church pastor was cited for holding an Easter Sunday service in violation of Contra Costa County's coronavirus health order, police said.
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA — The pastor of a church in unincorporated North Richmond issued a statement Friday in response to a misdemeanor citation received Monday for violating an order by the Contra Costa County health officer.
The Contra Costa Sheriff's Office was notified at 12:32 p.m. on Sunday about an alleged unlawful assembly at All Nations Church of God in Christ at 1225 York St.
A deputy responded and reported seeing parishioners not wearing protective masks and standing or sitting fewer than 6 feet apart, according to the county sheriff's office.
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That account was contradicted in the statement from church pastor Wyndford Williams.
"Easter Sunday is one of the most important celebrations in the Christian faith," Williams wrote. "A small service was held with approximately 40 people in attendance. Masks were worn. Hand sanitizer was provided."
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Williams said that "Families that live together, sat together. Otherwise, social distancing was observed."
According to the sheriff's office, the deputy spoke first with a deacon and then tried to talk to the pastor, but Williams apparently refused to talk to the deputy.
The deputy returned the next day with the citation.
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