US judge knocks down mask rule for public transit

The Covid-19 mask requirement for public transportation, imposed by the Biden administration under President Joe Biden, was overturned by a US federal judge on Monday, prompting major airlines to drop the requirement immediately.

Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle of the Middle District of Florida ruled that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does not have the statutory authority to require people to wear face masks (CDC).

The CDC recently extended the requirement for passengers to wear face masks on planes, trains, subways, buses, taxis, and other modes of public transportation until May 3 due to an increase in coronavirus cases.

The CDC issued a mask mandate on February 3, 2021, shortly after Vice President Biden took office, and a number of Republican lawmakers have called for an end to it.

This decision means that TSA, which oversees airport security, will no longer enforce directives “requiring mask use on public transportation and transportation hubs at this time,” according to an administration official.

Following the announcement of the ruling, United Airlines dropped its mask mandate on domestic flights and some international flights, depending on the rules in the country of arrival, if applicable.

There will be no mask requirement for our employees, and we will not have to enforce it for the majority of the flying public, but we will allow them to choose to wear masks, as the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to strongly recommend wearing one on public transit.

As a result, American, Delta, and Alaska Airlines soon followed suit, removing the requirement for passengers and crew to wear masks on domestic and international flights.

Travelers should still be aware of local mask regulations when they arrive at their destination.

Disappointed: – White House

The mask rule reversal, however, did not undo some of the decisions that were made while the measure was in place.

The airline said in a statement that it would not lift the bans placed on some customers for failing to comply with the mask directive.

“We will have some guests whose behavior was particularly egregious who will remain banned, even after the mask policy is rescinded,” it said.

The Health Freedom Defense Fund, a conservative non-profit organisation, and two individual plaintiffs filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration in July 2021. Mizelle, a nominee of former Republican president Donald Trump, issued her ruling.

Although the public has a “strong interest” in combating the spread of Covid, the judge said, the mask mandate “exceeded the CDC’s statutory authority,” and it “failed to adequately explain its decisions.”

“Because our system does not permit agencies to act unlawfully even in pursuit of desirable ends, the Court declares unlawful and vacates the Mask Mandate,” Mizelle said in a 59-page ruling.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki called the ruling a “disappointing decision.”

“The CDC continues recommending wearing a mask in public transit,” Psaki said.

There was no immediate comment from the Justice Department, which could potentially appeal the ruling.

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