A new Pew Research Center survey finds that U.S. adults overwhelmingly say houses of worship should be required to follow the same rules about social distancing and large gatherings as other organizations or businesses in their local area. About eight-in-ten Americans (79%) take this position, four times the share (19%) who think houses of worship should be allowed more flexibility than other kinds of establishments.

This view was shared by the vast majority of believers, with three-quarters of US Christians saying churches should be subject to the same rules as other businesses.

In addition, many Americans who regularly attend religious services express support for instituting a variety of restrictions and modifications at their own places of worship. At the time the survey was conducted (July 13 to 19), only 13% said their house of worship should be open to the public just as it was before the outbreak.