Judge rules Ohio health department has no authority to enforce mask mandate, related business closures

Judge rules Ohio health department has no authority to enforce mask mandate, related business closures

ASHLAND, OH – A judge in Ohio has ruled that the state department of health has no authority to enforce mandatory mask mandates or social distancing orders during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Common Pleas Judge Ronald P. Forsthoefel earlier this week made permanent a temporary restraining order he issued last year against the county health department’s enforcement of a cease-and-desist order issued against the Cattleman’s Restaurant in Savannah,” the Norwalk Reflector reported. “(T)he Ohio Department of Health only has ultimate authority in matters of quarantine and isolation.”

SOURCE: Norwalk Reflector