During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the county health officer asked Kanawha County residents to use other ways to worship and to put off other gatherings. The goal was to slow the spread of the virus in the county.
Limits on gatherings
On April 4, 2020, the governor added Kanawha County to his COVID-19 executive order and called it a “hot spot.” The order limited gatherings to five people. It also required social distancing and set limits on how many people could enter essential businesses. Under the order, the health department set the social distancing and occupancy rules for essential businesses in the county.
Advice on worship
In July 2020, the health department linked at least 24 COVID-19 cases to a church in North Charleston. The health officer said the department did not want to discourage people from going to church. She asked people to think about attending services electronically, mainly if they were at high risk for complications from COVID-19. People who went to services in person were asked to wear a mask, keep six feet from others and wash their hands often.
See at least 24 COVID-19 cases linked to Charleston church.
This guidance is from 2020. It is kept here as a record and is not current advice.