Following a Brief Reopening, Georgia Church Suspends In-Person Services after Families Contract COVID-19

After restarting its in-person services at the end of April, a church in Georgia is suspending its in-person services again after several families contracted COVID-19.

According to The Christian Post, Catoosa Baptist Tabernacle in Ringgold, Georgia reopened its doors for in-person services on April 26, just as several other businesses across the state were given permission to “begin basic operations.”

Now, just a few weeks later, Church representative Joan Lewis shared with The Christian Post that the church would again be suspending its in-person worship services and this time, “for the foreseeable future.”

According to a statement from the church, on May 11, church leaders were informed that some family members in the congregation were diagnosed with the novel coronavirus.

“Our hearts are heavy as some of our families are dealing with the effects of the COVID-19 virus, and we ask for your prayers for each of them as they follow the prescribed protocol and recuperate at home,” the church shared in a formal statement.

“Though we feel very confident of the safe environment we are able to offer in our facilities, the decision was made … that we would discontinue all in-person services again until further notice in an effort of extreme caution for the safety and well-being of our families,” the statement added.

While the number of families…