Pennsylvania judge strikes down ‘unconstitutional’ coronavirus restrictions

A federal judge has struck down Pennsylvania’s coronavirus pandemic restrictions calling them unconstitutional.

Governor Tom Wolf had implemented limits on the size of gatherings and ordered people to stay home and for “non-life-sustaining” businesses to close in an attempt to stem the spread of Covid-19 infections.

However, on Monday US District Judge William Stickman IV sided with plaintiffs that included hair salons, drive-in movie theatres, a farmer’s market vendor, a horse trainer, and several Republican officeholders who sued as individuals.

Judge Stickman, an appointee of president Donald Trump, ruled that the Wolf administration’s pandemic policies are overreaching, arbitrary and violated citizens’ constitutional rights.

The judge wrote that the governor’s decisions “were undertaken with the good intention of addressing a public health emergency”, but “even in an emergency, the authority of government is not unfettered”.

Many of the restrictions imposed by the governor have been lifted since the lawsuit was filed in May — including the stay-at-home order.

Businesses have also reopened, though capacity limits still apply and there are restrictions on alcohol sales in bars and restaurants.

Indoor events are limited to 25 people and outdoor events to 250.

A spokesperson for the governor said that they are reviewing the decision.

There have been 145,000 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the state, and more than 7,800 officially recorded deaths.