RICHMOND, Va.  – A federal judge has refused to temporarily block enforcement of Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam’s executive orders aimed at reducing COVID-19’s spread.

The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports that U.S. District Judge John A. Gibney Jr. also on Monday scheduled an Aug. 27 trial date for a Loudoun County businessman’s lawsuit challenging the executive orders.

Jon Tigges, owner of the Zion Springs vineyard and wedding venue, is represented by Chap Petersen, an attorney who also is a state senator. Petersen and Northam are both Democrats. The suit claims the governor’s COVID-19 restrictions exceed his emergency powers.

The judge, who denied Tigges’ request for a preliminary injunction, said COVID-19 “is a dangerous disease and it is the obligation of our government to address that.”