A new order in Kansas City, Missouri, requires churches to record the names of congregants who attend in-person services.
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas issued the 10/10/10 rule last week so the city could have a “soft opening” of the economy but enforce social distancing practices meant to stop the spread of the coronavirus. The rule treats churches the same as nonessential businesses, requiring lists be kept of people who spend more than 10 minutes on certain premises.
The new policy says specifically about churches, “In-person religious gatherings (including weddings and funerals) may resume, subject to the 10/10/10 rule (if held inside) or limited to 50 people outside, provided social distancing precautions are followed and event organizers maintain records of all attendees.”
The 10/10/10 rule is described on the city’s website as, “Most non-essential business operations that are open to the public (such as non-essential retail stores and personal care services) can resume in-person operations provided business operators follow the ’10/10/10 rule.’ The 10/10/10 rule specifies that these businesses must limit the number of individuals on-site (inclusive of employees and customers) to no more than 10 percent of building occupancy or 10 people (whichever is larger), and record the names, contact information, and approximate entry/exit time of all customers who are on-premises for more than 10 minutes.”
Only medical facilities and grocery stores are exempt from the new policy, according to Metro Voice.
The order has received blowback from some, including a nonprofit Christian ministry called the Liberty Council.
“The Kansas City government is now DEMANDING that churches turn over membership lists, along with the names, telephone numbers and physical addresses of anyone who enters a church! This order also applies to all businesses,” Liberty Council founder and Chairman Matt Staver said in a statement Friday.
“Never in our wildest dreams could we have imagined Nazi-like measures designed to surveil, track and spy upon what was once a free American people,” Staver said. “That is exactly what Kansas City’s misguided government officials are now demanding.”
The mayor’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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