RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper’s orders during the COVID-19 pandemic that directed standalone bars to remain shuttered for safety while restaurants that serve alcohol got to reopen were “illogical” and violated the state constitution, an appeals court ruled on Tuesday.
A state Court of Appeals panel declared unanimously that a trial judge erred when he rejected claims by the North Carolina Bar and Tavern Association and private bars that their constitutional rights to earn a living and for equal treatment were violated with the Democratic governor’s executive orders.
It was “arbitrary and capricious” to allow some restuarants with bars to reopen with limited capacity while the plaintiffs’ bars weren’t allowed to reopen in the same way, Court of Appeals Judge April Wood wrote in the panel’s opinion vacating parts of Superior Court Judge James Gale’s decision. The association and bars in the lawsuit were subjected to unequal treatment that was “illogical and not rationally related” to the governor’s stated goal of slowing the virus’ spread, Wood said.
Singapore Airlines: 1 dead, others injured after London
Jelly Roll rocks the stage during his Stagecoach debut and invites T
China's bond market issuances hit 7.16 trillion yuan in March
Georgia QB Jaden Rashada sues Florida coach, others over failed $14M NIL deal
29 Naxals killed in gunfight with gov't forces in India's Chhattisgarh
China's bond market issuances hit 7.16 trillion yuan in March
Haiti’s international airport reopens after gang violence
No casualties reported in Russian city of Orsk after dam breach
Australia as Bangladesh vow to boost trade as foreign ministers meet in Dhaka
AI takes center stage at Beijing Film Fest