Ninth Circuit Denies Emergency Motion Challenging California COVID-19 Gathering Restrictions
6 days ago
On Tuesday, a divided appellate panel denied a request from individuals for an emergency injunction pending appeal seeking to prevent the enforcement of California’s COVID-19 restrictions on private gatherings and various limitations on businesses. The appellants challenged the constitutionality of those restrictions as applied to their in-home Bible studies, political activities, and business operations. The court concluded that the movants failed to meet the requirements for what it deemed an “extraordinary remedy.”
As the filing explained, the appeal challenged the district court’s Feb. 5 decision denying the appellants’ motion for a preliminary injunction halting the effect of both California and Santa Clara County COVID-19 gatherings restrictions. Before the Ninth Circuit, only the state restrictions were contested.