Sixth Circuit Won’t Stop Abortions in Ohio Under Covid-19 Order

Ohio may not prohibit abortions under an executive order designed to protect access to scarce medical equipment during the coronavirus pandemic, the Sixth Circuit said Monday.

The U.S. District Court for the Sixth Circuit said it didn’t have jurisdiction to consider the state’s appeal of a March 30 temporary restraining order that stopped it from banning abortion as part of the Covid-19 emergency executive order.

The TRO didn’t threaten to “inflict irretrievable harm” by allowing abortion providers to use personal protective equipment needed elsewhere because it was narrowly written, the court said.

The order requires providers to decide on a ...