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Church vowing to defy health orders, still holding services
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. - A Newbury Park church plans to continue indoor services despite local and state orders prohibiting large worship gatherings.
Godspeak Calvary Chapel in Newbury Park has been holding Sunday services since reopening on May 31. The church has continued services despite a county order mandated by the state in mid-July requiring services move outdoors to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
RELATED: Gov. Newsom calls for immediate closure of indoor operations at sectors in 19 California counties
The Ventura County Board of Supervisors is asking for a temporary restraining order to stop the church’s plans to continue indoor services.
The move to request an injunction comes a day after the board voted 3-2 in favor of pursuing legal action against individuals or entities not complying with public health orders.
"The government's approach is making this virus far more devastating than it needs to be. You quarantine the sick and vulnerable," said Senior Pastor Rob Mccoy. "You don't quarantine the healthy and ruin their community."
McCoy was a Thousand Oaks City Council member but resigned from the elected position in April. Originally elected to the City Council in 2015, McCoy served as Mayor from December of 2018 through December 2019.
The pastor says the congregation has had no known reported cases of the virus since resuming church services indoors.