In a 5-4 unsigned opinion the top US court said that some of New York's restrictions violated the First Amendment's protection of the free exercise of religion. WASHINGTON: New York Governor Andrew Cuomo on Thursday dismissed as"irrelevant" a US Supreme Court decision blocking coronavirus restrictions imposed on religious gatherings, saying it related to specific areas that were no longer considered at high risk.
New York has categorised areas where coronavirus infections are increasing in severity as yellow, orange or red. Under Cuomo's restrictions, houses of worship in red zones could remain open at 25 per cent capacity up to a maximum of 10 people.In a call with reporters on Thursday, Cuomo said the high court's ruling would have no impact on the state's virus control efforts because the red zone status for the area in question had expired last week.
He also pointed out that the decision, which now goes to the 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals, is not final and did not appear to affect New York state's rules for mass gatherings. A federal judge in Brooklyn rejected separate requests made by the religious groups on Oct 9. The New York City-based 2nd Circuit declined emergency requests filed by both sets of challengers on Nov 9.
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