Judge Blocks Florida Governor’s Order Banning Mask Mandates

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — A judge has ruled that Florida school districts may impose mask mandates.

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Leon County Circuit Judge John C. Cooper on Friday agreed with a group of parents who claimed in a lawsuit that Gov. Ron DeSantis' ban on the mandates is unconstitutional and cannot be enforced.

The governor’s order gave parents the sole right to decide if their child wears a mask at school.

Cooper's decision came after a three-day virtual hearing and as at least 10 Florida school boards voted to defy DeSantis and impose mask requirements with no parental opt-out.