The Supreme Court of Wisconsin State in the U.S has overturned the state imposed lockdown order making it the first lawsuit to succeed against a broader political debate on coronavirus lockdown taking shape in the United States.
The State Supreme Court declared the lockdown illegal in a 4-3 ruling, saying it was unlawful, invalid and unenforceable.
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The state had imposed a lockdown which restricted travel and business as well as a jail term or fine for violators.
The order was extended by the State Governor till May 26.
According to the court, while Governor Tony Evers had emergency powers as a sitting Governor to declare a stay at home order, the fact that the order was extended through Andrea Palm, the State Secretary for the Department of Health Services nullified the extension.
The court deemed that Andrea Palm’s discretion as a political appointee was too limited to make such an order on behalf of the Governor.
“We further conclude that Palm’s order confining all people to their homes, forbidding travel and closing businesses exceeded the statutory authority … upon which Palm claims to rely,” the court said.
Governor Evers said he was disappointed by the ruling but urged residents of the state to adhere to social distancing rules as the best way to contain the coronavirus.
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