On Monday, a US federal judge declared the national mask requirement on public transportation illegal and overturned it. Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle of Tampa, Florida, said the CDC exceeded its powers in making masks mandatory. Furthermore, the authority did not adequately justify its decision. At first, it was unclear what the immediate consequences of the decision would be.
The court referred the regulation back to the health authority. US President Joe Biden made masks mandatory on public transportation shortly after taking office in January 2021. In early February, the CDC health official ordered mouth and nose protection to be worn on planes, ships, ferries, trains, subways, 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.
white house disappointed
White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki called the decision “disappointing”. When asked if travelers on trains or planes would no longer need to wear a mask, she said this was still being verified. The Department of Homeland Security and the CDC are responsible. The Ministry of Justice, in turn, has to decide whether to file a lawsuit against the decision. Regardless, everyone is still advised to wear a mask on public transport.
Recently, the Biden administration has been increasingly faced with demands to relax or suspend this crown measure. Republican lawmakers and several major airlines have called for an end to mask requirements on planes and other public transport. The White House and the Justice Department can appeal the decision.
Last week, US authorities decided to extend the mask requirement until at least May 3 due to the growing number of corona infections.