A Catholic school in Michigan has lost its appeal regarding a local policy that requires younger kids to wear masks in school.

In 2020, Resurrection School, based in Lansing, partnered with parents to file a lawsuit against Michigan officials. The case argued that the order, which forces children attending school to wear masks, breached the Constitution's free exercise or equal protection clauses. The lawsuit also implicated that the order was a breach of due process. When brought before a district judge, the court ruled in favor of the state. Now a three-judge panel has ruled 2-1 in favor of the original decision. 

According to the Court of Appeals, the original ruling "correctly concluded that because the requirement to wear a facial covering applied to students in grades K–5 at both religious and non-religious schools, it was neutral and of general applicability,"

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel praised the decision, noting that "As science has proven and now the 6th Circuit agrees, enacting a mask mandate in the manner in which [the Michigan Health Department] did so does not violate one's rights — it is a measure by which we can better protect public health,"

Resurrection School's lawyers told Fox47 that they intend to appeal the decision to the entire Sixth Court