Kanishka Sharma

(Reuters) – A civil liberties group sued Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin’s administration Tuesday over an order that made masks mandatory in Virginia public schools. It claimed it violated the rights of vulnerable students to COVID-19 complications.

American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia (ACLU), said it filed suit in Charlottesville Federal Court seeking temporary restraining orders and permanent lifting of Youngkin’s Order barring schools districts from adopting universal mask requirements. According to the ACLU, this order is in violation of federal disability law.

ACLU argued that repealing mask mandates would effectively exclude these students from public schools. This is in violation of both the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and Rehabilitation Act.

Students are the plaintiffs in Tuesday’s ACLU lawsuit. Their disabilities leave them vulnerable to serious illnesses such as the coronavirus. According to the lawsuit, these conditions are cancer, cystic Fibrosis, mild to severe asthma and Down syndrome.

On Tuesday night, the Virginia governor’s office did not respond immediately to our request for comment.

A number of States have seen court action and disagreements over the mask mandates, which has become an important flashpoint in the United States’ pandemic response. It often divides Democrats and Republicans.

These mandates are supported by those who believe they must be implemented to end the COVID-19 epidemic. Opponents argue that they restrict individual freedom.

Youngkin, in January signed an executive order that allowed parents to opt-out of children’s school mask requirements.

Seven school boards also filed a separate suit against Youngkin over Youngkin’s decision to allow students to wear masks in schools.

Youngkin stated last week that “if localities wish to have a mandate for masks, they are absolutely able to.” But parents can opt out. Parents are the best people to decide what is best for their child.