Chilliwack churchgoers defy COVID-19 restrictions days after Mounties issue fines Vernon city councillor Scott Anderson said he is advocating for places of worship to be labeled an essential service after being contacted by a church.Anderson is hoping Vernon’s city council will endorse a motion calling for the city to write a letter to the provincial government “in support of having places of worship and churches open…with provincial safety protocol in place to ensure the safety of their worshipers.”Anderson is arguing that religious spaces are just as essential as airplanes, bars, and big box stores that continue to operate.“I think it has to be fair across the board.