Houses of worship taking precautions despite exemption from COVID-19 restrictions Religious services are exempt from new coronavirus mitigation measures. Many houses of worship, however, are still limiting their in-person services. Author: Harri Leigh (FOX43) Updated: 10:50 PM EST December 13, 2020 HARRISBURG, Pa. — Religious services are exempt from new coronavirus mitigation measures that Pennsylvania issued Dec. 10. Many houses of worship, however, are still limiting their in-person capacity and adapting winter holiday celebrations during the pandemic. Chabad Lubavitch of Harrisburg was forced to cancel its annual Hanukkah celebration in the Capitol East Wing Rotunda, which usually includes singing, games and potato pancakes called latkes. Its director, Rabbi Schmuel Pewzner, instead is lighting the public menorah alone each evening.