The mask mandate in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, will stay in place.
The Anne Arundel County Circuit Court ruled Tuesday against a lawsuit seeking a preliminary injunction to overturn the mandate, which was instituted by Health Officer Dr. Nilesh Kalyanaraman earlier this month after the County Council voted against extending it.
Last week, the court also ruled against an emergency restraining order that would have undone the mandate while the case played out.
“I want to thank the Court for again recognizing Dr. Kalyanaraman’s authority to issue this order under his powers as our Health Officer,” County Executive Steuart Pittman said in a statement.
The order expires Jan. 31.
“I hope and anticipate the expiration of the order,” Pittman said, “as it has accomplished what Dr. Kalyanaraman intended — flattening the curve of the omicron wave during a critical moment for our hospitals and healthcare workers.”
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