California Gov. Gavin Newsom's office will issue "revised guidelines" for indoor church services after the Supreme Court overruled the ban.
The state's ban on indoor services had been controversial, with some accusing Newsom of singling out worshippers. Several churches, including Calvary Chapel in San Jose, have blatantly refused to shut down, resulting in fines.
The South Bay United Pentecostal Church and the Harvest Rock Church separately challenged the ban, which was overturned in a 6-3 decision, with Justices Elena Kagan, Stephen Breyer and Sonia Sotomayor dissenting.
"Since the arrival of COVID-19, California has openly imposed more stringent regulations on religious institutions than on many businesses," Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote in one of three concurring opinions.
"California worries that worship brings people together for too much time. Yet, California does not limit its citizens to running in and out of other establishments; no one is barred from lingering in shopping malls, salons or bus terminals."
© Damian DovarganesIn this June 7, 2020, file photo, a hundred faithful listen to Los Angeles Archbishop Jose H. Gomez celebrate Mass at Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles.
In this June 7, 2020, file photo, a hundred faithful listen to Los Angeles Archbishop Jose H. Gomez celebrate Mass at Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles. (Damian Dovarganes/)
Churches can now open at 25% capacity, but singing and chanting are banned indoors.
"We will continue to enforce the restrictions the Supreme Court left in place and, after reviewing the decision, we will issue revised guidelines for worship services to continue to protect the lives of Californians," Daniel Lopez, Newsom's press secretary, said in a statement late Saturday.
Harvest Rock's ministry held an in-person service Saturday night in downtown Los Angeles just hours after the ban was overturned and said it still plans to petition for the right to sing, citing Hollywood's permission to film singing competition shows.
"While it is one thing to lock down based on data, it is an entirely different motive to allow some groups a right that is denied to others." the church said in a statement.
As of Sunday, more than 3.3 California residents have tested positive for COVID-19 so far, with at least 43,942 deaths reported.