US judge strikes down mask mandate for public transport

A US federal judge on Monday, April 18 struck down the COVID-19 mask mandate for public transportation imposed by the administration of President Joe Biden, prompting major airlines to quickly drop the requirement.

US District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle of the Middle District of Florida said the mask mandate exceeds the statutory authority of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The mandate requiring face masks on airplanes, subways, trains, buses, taxis, and other forms of public transportation was recently extended by the CDC until May 3 amid a rise in coronavirus cases.

US airlines and a number of Republican lawmakers have called for an end to the mask mandate, which was issued by the CDC on Feb. 3, 2021, shortly after Biden took office.

In light of the decision, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), which runs security at airports, will not enforce directives "requiring mask use on public transportation and transportation hubs at this time," an administration official said.

After the ruling was announced, United Airlines dropped its mask mandate on domestic flights and some international flights, depending on the rules in the country of arrival.

"While this means that our employees are no longer required to wear a mask—and no longer have to enforce a mask requirement for most of the flying public—they will be able to wear masks if they choose to do so, as the CDC continues to strongly recommend wearing a mask on public transit," the airline said in a statement.

It was soon followed by American Airlines, Delta Airlines, and Alaska Airlines, who all made masks optional for crew members and customers on domestic and most international flights.

Like United, they cautioned that travelers would still be subject to local mask regulations at their destinations.

White House disappointed

Alaska also noted that the mask rule reversal, however, did not undo some decisions made while the measure was still in place.

Certain customers who were banned for not following the mask directive will remain barred, the airline said in a statement.

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will have some guests whose behavior was particularly egregious who will remain banned, even after the mask policy is rescinded," it said.

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

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. (AFP)