A federal judge has struck down the state’s 25% capacity rule for indoor religious services, so churches can now hold indoor religious services at 50% capacity.

Judge Gary L. Sharpe made the ruling in United States District Court for the Northern District of New York on Friday, June 26.

The plaintiffs include Rev. Steven Soos and Rev. Nicholas Stamos, who are identified in court documents as presiding over churches in Massena, Nicholville and Glens Falls.

The judge’s ruling said the plaintiff’s exercise of religion “will be burdened and continue to be treated less favorably than comparable secular activities,” the decision says.

Judge Sharpe ruled that the state still has the right to enforce social distancing orders for religious services as it does with secular activities.

“An injunction, on the other hand, does not undercut defendants’ interest in controlling the spread of COVID-19, provided that plaintiffs abide by social distancing guidance,” he wrote.

The complete ruling can be read here.

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