Federal judge blocks Tennesee governor’s order and allows abortions to continue in state amid coronavirus

“Abortion is a time-sensitive procedure. Delaying a woman’s access to abortion even by a matter of days can result in her having to undergo a lengthier and more complex procedure that involves progressively greater health risks, or can result in her losing the right to obtain an abortion altogether,” US District Judge Bernard Friedman wrote in an opinion issued Friday evening.

Friedman’s ruling, a win for abortion rights advocates, essentially allows procedural abortions to continue in the state.

Following the judge’s decision, defendants Tennessee Attorney General Herbert Slatery III, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and other state officials filed a motion of appeal on Friday.

CNN has reached out to Lee and Slatery’s offices for comment.

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