U.S. Airlines Dropping Mask Mandates
On Monday, April 18, U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle in Tampa, Fla., annulled the previous Center for Disease Control’s mask mandate for the Transportation Security Administration.
Before this action, the TSA required all passengers and employees to wear masks at all times aboard flights, as well as inside the airports. Currently, this requirement is no longer, allowing for optional mask-wearing.
Mizelle argued that U.S. health officials did not have the authority to mandate masks on airlines and other forms of public transit.
According to the Biden administration, “today’s court decision means CDC’s public transportation masking order is not in effect at this time. 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.”
