NC Court of Appeals rules Governor Cooper violated state constitution during COVID pandemic

RALEIGH, NC (WWAY) — The N.C. Court of Appeals has ruled in favor of the North Carolina Bar and Tavern Association, agreeing that Gov. Roy Cooper violated the state constitution by forcing private bars to stay closed while permitting similar businesses to operate during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The state had argued that private bars were more likely to spread COVID, but the appeals court ruled that the “science and data” put forth by the governor did not support that conclusion.

“We never asked for special treatment, only equal treatment,”  said NCBATA President Zack Medford. “Unfortunately, these private bars were forced to stay closed for a full year and without relief from the state. The governor’s decision forced many of these bars to eventually close permanently. Today’s ruling makes it clear that the governor was wrong and now the state needs to make it right.”

The case will now return to the trial court, which will decide how much, if any, damages the state owes the private bar owners.