MSDH announces new COVID guidelines for church gatherings

The Mississippi State Department of Health updated their guidance on safer faith-based gatherings and worship services.

Comes to hitting the- road.

- - as we first reported yesterday,- the mississippi state - department of health updated- their guidance on safer faith-- based gatherings and worship- services.

- the m-s-d-h states that the - safest options to prevent the - spread covid-19 and protect the- vulnerable is for services to - continue to be held outdoors or- - - - virtually.

While most coast - churches offer a virtual worshi- option, - many have begun having indoor,- in-person services as well.

- for indoor gatherings, the stat- health department - recommends in addition to havin- patrons wear masks, - social distance, and use hand - sanitizer prior to entering the- building, m-s-d-h also- recommends everyone 65- years of age or older be fully- vaccinated before attending - in-person worship services.

- while first united methodist- - - - church of gulfport requires - masks and six-feet between- worshippers,- pastor claire dobbs says being- fully vaccinated is not - requirement to attend in-person- services.

- - claire dobbs, pastor at first - united- methodist church of gulfport: - "i'm encouraging people to get the vaccine, but- you can't force that.

But we- would encourage everyone out- - - - there, not just for your sake,- but for the sake of others to - get vaccinated.

It's certainly- going to- make worship much safer."

/ "a are welcome, but we hope- everyone will be safe - and conscientious and remember- the gospel to love god and- neighbor."

To accommodate for bigger - numbers of worshippers, - first united methodist will be- holding two in-person easter- sunday services, one at 8 a-m - and another at