Gov. Kay Ivey called on her pastor today to deliver the news that houses of worship need to remain closed for public gatherings as a matter of public safety to avoid spread of further outbreaks of the coronavirus.

“Faith is clearly part of the thread of the people of Alabama,” Ivey said. “Getting back to worship services is essential as we maintain our spiritual and mental health during this coronavirus pandemic.”

But not yet, she said. “Getting back to these services must be done with very much concern,” Ivey said.

Ivey called on the Rev. Jay Wolf, senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Montgomery, to deliver the recommendation on houses of worship as part of her “Safer at Home” order released today.

“Like so many others who call on a pastor, a priest or a rabbi in good times or bad, I often turn to my pastor and friend, Dr. Jay Wolf,” Ivey said. She said she asked Wolf “to share the consensus of what many or our religious leaders from throughout Alabama are feeling at this time.”

Wolf, who is not an official member of the coronavirus task force but was asked by Ivey to research the issue from the religious perspective, stepped to the podium as Ivey watched from the side.

“Like you, Gov. Ivey, we simply want to honor the Lord, help and protect God’s people and do what is right and responsible,” Wolf said. “Our task force was asked to provide Gov. Ivey some helpful, common-sense consideration for re-opening houses of worship across Alabama in accordance with the White House and CDC recommendations. These guidelines were compiled by a team of ministers, lay leaders and medical personnel and in particular, Dr. Don Williamson, who was the head of the Alabama Department of Public Health for many years.”

Wolf warned that re-opening churches for group worship too soon risks spreading the coronavirus.

“The process for re-opening churches for large, in-person gatherings must proceed gradually and in a measured fashion because COVID-19 has proven to be a highly contagious and very dangerous enemy,” he said. “We must re-open in a way that will not inadvertently facilitate an outbreak of this virus. Many sad stories from other states have emerged, where COVID-19 has spread through a congregation and even taken the lives of pastors and created community outbreaks. The CDC is recommending a three-phased approach to reopening houses of worship. It is our opinion that the CDC guidelines should be followed.”

No target date for re-opening was given.

“At this time, Alabama does not meet the criteria proposed by the CDC for re-opening houses of worship for large in-person gatherings,” Wolf said. “Re-opening our places of worship will be a process, not an event."

Also Related to Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey’s April 28 order:

Alabama beaches reopening Thursday; limited to gatherings of fewer than 10 people

Gov. Ivey reopening retail stores, beaches; restaurants still curbside only, hair salons closed

Dine-in still prohibited in Alabama, but some restaurants eager to reopen

Will there be a high school football season in 2020? ‘We are hopeful’

Elective medical, surgical, dental procedures can restart, state health officials say

The timeline for re-opening depends on the rate of new infections, Wolf said.

“According to the CDC, as the number of infections go down, then the number of people who can safely gather will go up," Wolf said. “Consequently, at this time we are recommending that Alabama follow public guidelines of the White House and the CDC and affirm that in-person corporate gatherings, and in-person small groups, are not currently advisable. However, churches are encouraged to continue to do God’s vital work of connecting with people by using creative online services for worship, meetings and ministries. Let’s keep connected to people through technology. Let’s use innovative serving projects. Let’s also use the highly effective drive-up worship services. But it is not yet safe and wise to gather in person.”

Some churches have been conducting drive-up services, in which people remain in their cars while listening to preaching and music broadcast by public address system or FM transmitter. Some churches united to hold services at a drive-in movie theater. Others have done drive-up services in church parking lots. But most have shifted to online worship services, using Facebook Live, YouTube or livestream from church web sites.

“Now, when the new number of COVID-19 patients and infections decline, then in accordance with the CDC guidelines and timelines, larger in-person groups can safely meet," Wolf said. "But to re-open at this juncture could facilitate outbreaks of infections that could tragically harm our neighbors and set Alabama’s progress back. As we prepare to re-open places of worship in the future, it will be based on the standards established by Alabama’s public health officials. You are encouraged to consider following the guidelines that are a helpful game plan designed to assist your congregation, prepare for a safe reopening in the coming days.”

See complete coronavirus coverage here.