In response to the ruling, the governor said, "Don't try to find an exception, do your part to save lives."

Gov. Andy Beshear asked a federal appeals court to move with lightning speed to block a judge's order that would allow private religious schools in Kentucky to return to in-person instruction immediately.

Last week, Danville Christian Academy and Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron filed a complaint saying Beshear's executive order violated the Constitution.

The suit claims the restriction violates the First Amendment and Kentucky's Religious Freedom and Restoration Act.