Court overturns mask requirement on US public transportation

Court overturns mask requirement on US public transportation

In the US, there is no longer a national corona mask requirement on public transportation for now. A federal judge found the rule inadmissible. The CDC, the national health authority, exceeded its powers with the corresponding order, according to the Florida state judge’s ruling published Monday. The procedure for such regulations had not been followed.

The Tampa court overturned the decision and referred it back to the Board of Health. For now, passengers on planes, trains and other modes of transport will no longer need to wear masks.

government is disappointed

The White House called the decision “disappointing”. “We continue to encourage people to wear masks,” said spokeswoman Jen Psaki.

Another government official said late on Monday: “Authorities are reviewing the decision and considering possible further measures.” The Transport Security Authority (TSA) will initially cease to apply the regulation.

President Joe Biden made masks mandatory on public transport shortly after taking office in January 2021. A few days later, health officials ruled that mouth and nose protection must be worn on planes, ships, ferries, trains, subways, etc. buses, taxis and similar means of transport. The obligation also applies at airports, train stations and ports. The regulation has been extended several times, most recently to early May. In recent months there has been growing resistance, including from airlines.

An average of 36,251 new infections per day are being reported in the US.