Officials in Texas and Ohio are taking steps aimed at banning most abortions during this phase of the coronavirus outbreak (Tony Dejak/AP)The governor and attorney general of Texas are moving to ban most abortions in the state during the coronavirus outbreak, declaring they do not qualify as essential surgeries. “No one is exempt from the governor’s executive order on medically unnecessary surgeries and procedures, including abortion providers,” Mr Paxton said. However, representatives of Ohio clinics said that they were in compliance with the health director’s order and planned to continue providing abortions. Amid the moves by Ohio and Texas, a coalition of anti-abortion groups urged its allies across the nation to ask governors to ban most abortions on the grounds they were not essential. “Women deserve better than a craven exploitation of a health care crisis in furtherance of an anti-abortion agenda.”In Ohio, abortion clinics planned to remain in operation.

Source: Irish Independent March 24, 2020 02:03 UTC