(AP) A group of health care workers in Maine has filed a class-action lawsuit against the state, Democratic Gov. Janet Mills and health networks with a complaint that a requirement to vaccinate against COVID-19 violates religious freedom.

The federal lawsuit asked a judge to impose a temporary order preventing the mandate from taking effect. Mills announced the requirement earlier this month and it is slated to take effect on Oct. 1.

The lawsuit was brought by Florida-based Liberty Counsel, a right wing advocacy group. It was brought on behalf of nine people whose requests for religious exemptions to the requirement were rejected and hundreds of other unnamed health care workers, the Portland Press Herald reported.

Mills has defended the requirement, which has support from numerous health care organizations in the state.