Maine state troopers assigned to guard U.S. nurse Kaci Hickox's residence in Fort Kent pulled out Friday, hours after the chief judge at Maine District Court rejected the state's attempt to keep the nurse on strict quarantine.

Instead, Judge Charles LaVerdiere, saying that Ebola fears in the United States are "not entirely rational," imposed limited restrictions on Hickox's movements.

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"The court is fully aware that people are acting out of fear and that this fear is not entirely rational. However, whether that fear is rational or not, it is present and it is real," the judge said, saying Hickox should follow three restrictions even though she is "not infectious."

The order says Hickox must continue direct monitoring of her health, coordinate travel plans with health officials and report any symptoms without delay.

Hickox had tested negative of the virus when she came home after months of working with the group Doctors Without Borders in Sierra Leone, treating Ebola patients. When Maine state health authorities put her under quarantine, she objected, starting a clash with re-electionist Gov. Paul LePage and the whole state health structure.

Informed of the judge's Friday order, the governor said the state will abide by the decision.

"As governor, I have done everything I can to protect the health and safety of Mainers. The judge has eased restrictions with this ruling and I believe it is unfortunate. However, the state will abide by law," LePage said in statement.

The 33-year-old Hickox said she was pleased with the ruling and said people need to "overcome the fear."

"It's just a good day," Hickox said. "I am taking things minute by minute. Tonight, I am going to try to convince Ted to make me my favorite Japanese meal. And I think we're going to watch scary movies since it's Halloween."

Public concern in the U.S. about Ebola is still high even when only one person is currently being treated in the country.  But health experts, federal officials and even President Barack Obama have expressed concern that imposing strict quarantines on returning doctors and nurses could discourage potential medical volunteers from fighting the outbreak in West Africa.

Hickox plans to return to West Africa soon to continue serving Doctors Without Borders as the group fights Ebola, which had already killed almost 5,000 people in Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia.

TagsMaine, Nurse Kaci Hickox, Gov. LePage, Obama