Take me to church: Gov ends long holdout on reopening houses of worship

New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu ... 'I get their frustration' (Courtesy photo)

CONCORD - Gov. Sununu ended his Friday press conference addressing the growing discontent among many Granite Staters who are fed up with the endless parade of directives and restrictions placed on their rights and personal freedoms amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I get the frustration, with communities, with people that want to get back to work, with people who want get back to church, who've never been on unemployment in their life, with folks who have older relatives they can't visit," he said in response to a question from The Rochester Voice. "But we mitigated the spread, it worked really well, but I get their frustration. We get it."

Sununu, a former CEO of Waterville Valley Resort, said as a former businessman, he more than anyone understands the hardships of small businesses during the COVID crisis.

"I know what it's like for our state's businesses, it's what keeps me up at night," he said. "Especially these small businesses that may have just started prior to the pandemic, who put their savings and dreams into it and now they're suffering. This hits no one any harder than it does me."

He added that New Hampshire was the only state that brought business stakeholders into its Reopening Task Force.

"We have the connections; other states couldn't do that," he added. "It's a great advantage."

And while it was the second straight day in which more than 100 new cases were announced, the majority of which came from elder congregate housing facilities, much of the news on the reopening side was very upbeat.

Most exciting was his hope that Stay at Home 2.0, which was officially extended for two more weeks, may be lifted on June 15.

"The hope is to move beyond it June 15 so we can get the summer going," he said, adding it can happen "as long as we can manage capacity and need (among COVID cases)."

Other businesses and entities set to resume include driver's ed classes and ridealongs (Monday), churches (immediately) and hotels (immediately for reservations for instaters; occupancy on Friday).

Sununu said out-of-staters can also stay at New Hampshire hotels, motels and inns next Friday, too, but will have to self-attest they have quarantined 14 days.

State guidance allows hotels and inns with less than 20 rooms to book at full capacity, while those over must book at just 50 percent unless they have outdoor entrances to individual rooms, which would enable full booking.

Summer day camps will be able to open on June 22; overnight camps on June 28.

Meanwhile, the governor announced earlier this month that beaches can open Monday, but only for activities like swimming, running, surfing or walking. No sunbathing is allowed.