WASHINGTON : President Donald Trump ordered states to allow churches to re-open from stay-at-home restrictions imposed to combat the coronavirus outbreak, saying he would override any governor who refuses. “The governors need to do the right thing and allow these very important essential places of faith to open right now," Trump said in a statement to reporters at the White House. “By this weekend." “If they don’t do it I will override the governors," he added.
Churches would be declared “essential" services under CDC guidelines, he said. It’s unclear if Trump has the power to override state orders to close churches or limit the size of services.