The arrest of a pastor intensifies the debate over whether religious gatherings should, or even must, be exempt from public health orders. While some states and local governments have made a point of explicitly allowing religious gatherings to occur, others have not.

The U.S. Navy joined the trend among American military branches in expanding the ability of service members to wear religiously motivated head covering and beards.

Because of the special protections in place under federal and state law for religious free exercise, some states are choosing to exempt religious services from orders forbidding gatherings in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.