(CNN) A federal judge on Friday temporarily blocked a statewide order prohibiting procedural abortions in Tennessee during the coronavirus pandemic.

"Abortion is a time-sensitive procedure. Delaying a woman's access to abortion even by a matter of days can result in her having to undergo a lengthier and more complex procedure that involves progressively greater health risks, or can result in her losing the right to obtain an abortion altogether," US District Judge Bernard Friedman wrote in an opinion issued Friday evening.

Friedman's ruling, a win for abortion rights advocates, essentially allows procedural abortions to continue in the state.

Following the judge's decision, defendants Tennessee Attorney General Herbert Slatery III, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and other state officials filed a motion of appeal on Friday.

CNN has reached out to Lee's office for comment. Slatery's office did not have any further comment when reached by CNN on Saturday.

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