WASHINGTON, DC, United States (AP) — President Donald Trump says he deems churches and other houses of worship “essential” and called on governors across the country to allow them to reopen this weekend despite the threat of spreading the novel coronavirus.

“Today I'm identifying houses of worship — churches, synagogues, and mosques — as essential places that provide essential services,” Trump said during a hastily arranged press conference at the White House, where he didn't take questions.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had prepared a draft of reopening guidelines for churches and other houses of worship weeks ago that included measures like maintaining distance between parishioners and limiting the size of gatherings.

Trump yesterday stressed the importance of churches in many communities and took issue with some of the businesses that had been allowed to reopen.

“Some governors have deemed liquor stores and abortion clinics as essential” but not churches, he said.