HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania’s high court has rejected an effort by Republican state lawmakers to end Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf’s pandemic shutdown orders.

A divided court ruled Wednesday that a resolution passed with mostly GOP votes was a “legal nullity” because it was not sent to Wolf to sign or veto.

Republican majorities in both chambers, along with a few Democrats, voted early last month to end the emergency disaster declaration that has led to closure of “non-life-sustaining” businesses, bans on large gatherings and orders that people stay at home.

Wolf has gradually been reopening the state, although a recent uptick in coronavirus infections in some parts of the state has produced some additional restrictions.

The Republican leaders of the state House and Senate filed suit seeking to enforce the resolution, and the high court ruled without hearing oral argument.