A federal court struck down Governor Andrew Cuomo’s capacity limits on religious services.
According to a three-judge panel from the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan – the rules discriminate against religious rights.
The state had previously issued 10- and 25- person limits on houses of worship for locations in red and orange zones.
Last month a temporary injunction had been issued, preventing the state from enforcing the limits.
“The Governor’s order is subject to strict scrutiny because it is not neutral on its face and imposes greater restrictions on religious activities than on secular ones,” Circuit Judge Michael Park wrote in the ruling.
It’s unclear how New York will respond to the decision.
Earlier this week, the Ontario County Health Department reported that they were dealing with a COVID-19 cluster that originated at a funeral service, held at a church in Geneva.
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