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