“Not a Priority:” Sheriff Says He Won’t Enforce Nevada’s Restriction on Churches

A Nevada sheriff says he won’t enforce a state restriction limiting churches and houses of worship to 50 attendees during the COVID-19 outbreak. 

Lyon County Sheriff Frank Hunewill was named as a defendant in a May lawsuit by a congregation, Calvary Chapel in Dayton, Nev., challenging the state’s order. 

But in a filing with the court last week, Hunewill says he won’t enforce the state’s restriction.

“Lyon County law enforcement officers have not and will not be using their limited resources monitoring church attendance and/or parishioner’s adherence to social distancing recommendations,” Hunewill said, according to the Associated Press. “Whether the plaintiff’s services included more than the governor’s recommended number of parishioners or … adhere to the recommended social distancing during the worship services is not a priority of Lyon County law enforcement.”

The Alliance Defending Freedom filed the suit against Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak and other officials, arguing it discriminates against churches and violates the First Amendment’s protections of religious freedom, free speech, and assembly. ADF says the congregation will adhere to strict social distancing and sanitation measures.

The ADF suit questions why Sisolak exempted numerous businesses – including bars, body piercers, museums, water parks, fitness facilities, movie theaters and…