Oklahoma Temporarily Barred from Banning Abortion, Court Says (1)

Oklahoma may not prohibit most surgical and all medication abortions during the coronavirus epidemic, a federal court in the state said Monday.

The state may not enforce an emergency order meant to promote social distancing and protect supplies of medical equipment needed to fight Covid-19 against abortion providers when it interferes with a patient’s lawful right to end a pregnancy, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma said.

Covid-19 is the disease caused by the coronavirus.

The court’s temporary restraining order will be in effect until April 20 unless extended for good cause, the court said. A ...