Face Masks Now Optional on Flights After Ruling by Federal Judge in Florida, White House Releases Statement
By Fox 35 // April 18, 2022
Alaska Airlines, American, Delta, Southwest and United Airlines lift mask mandates
ABOVE VIDEO: A federal judge in Florida struck down the national mask mandate covering airlines and other public transportation Monday, and the Biden administration said the rule would not be enforced while federal agencies decide how to respond to the judge’s order.
ORLANDO, FLORIDA (FOX 35) – A federal judge in Florida struck down the national mask mandate covering airlines and other public transportation Monday, and the Biden administration said the rule would not be enforced while federal agencies decide how to respond to the judge’s order.
The White House said the court ruling means that for now the mask order “is not in effect at this time.”
The CDC had recently extended the mask mandate, which was set to expire Monday, until May 3 to allow more time to study the BA.2 omicron subvariant of the coronavirus that is now responsible for the vast majority of cases in the U.S.
According to the White House, the Transportation Security Administration will not enforce the mask mandate in light of the recent ruling.
“The agencies are reviewing the decision and assessing potential next steps. In the meantime, today’s court decision means CDC’s public transportation masking order is not in effect at this time,” a White House administration official told FOX Television Stations in a statement. “Therefore, TSA will not enforce its Security Directives and Emergency Amendment requiring mask use on public transportation and transportation hubs at this time. CDC recommends that people continue to wear masks in indoor public transportation settings.”
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