The US Supreme Court has temporarily barred covid-19 restrictions on places of worship in New York areas rocked by the virus after challenges by Jewish and Christian groups.

Justices ruled by 5-4 against caps on attendance to religious gatherings imposed by state Governor Andrew Cuomo in designated “red” and “orange” areas.

Agudath Israel of America and the Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn had launched lawsuits arguing that Mr Cuomo’s restrictions violated the First Amendment, which protects the freedom of speech, religion and the press.

Lawyers acting for Mr Cuomo said the measures helped reduce the spread of the virus and that restrictions affecting the religious groups had already been eased.

The court order noted that justices are not public health experts and as such “should respect the judgement of those with special expertise”.

But it ruled that “even in a pandemic, the Constitution cannot be put away and forgotten.

“The restrictions at issue here, by effectively barring many from attending religious services, strike at the very heart of the First Amendment's guarantee of religious liberty.”

The late-night ruling came just before the Thanksgiving holiday, which has prompted fears that those who choose to travel could spread the virus.

The virus is surging across the US, with Johns Hopkins University reporting a total of 12.7 million cases nationwide.