An American judge ruled on Monday April 18 that the federal obligation to wear a face mask on public transport in the United States is illegal. Following his decision, several airlines, such as United, Delta and American Airlines, have announced that they will be lifting this requirement on their domestic flights and certain international flights.
The magistrate, Kathryn Kimball Mizelle, who resides in Tampa, Florida, found in her decision that the U.S. Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC), the major federal health agency, had exceeded their prerogatives by imposing this obligation, which particularly applies to airplanes, trains, subways and coaches. But also for passenger cars with a driver (Uber, Lyft…).
White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki was quick to comment on this decision “disappointing”notice that “The CDC continues to recommend wearing a mask on public transportation”† The Ministry of Justice can appeal.
The Joe Biden administration recently came under increasing pressure to relax or roll back the measure. In particular, 20 Republican-led states and several major airlines have called for an end to the wearing of mandatory masks on airplanes and other public transportation. But last week, federal authorities finally took the at least had it extended until May 3th†
End of the mask on airplanes
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis regularly opposed the Biden administration’s anti-covid measures, welcomed the court decision on his social networks † It’s great that a federal judge is following the law and rejecting President Biden’s mask requirement. Be it employees or airline users, everyone deserves to end this measure. †
The majority union of hostesses and flight attendants, The Association of Flight Attendants, had recently decided to take a neutral stance on mask-wearing, with the cabin crew themselves, within it, divided on the subject. “Chaos and confusion are the last thing frontline workers and passengers need,” has said the leader of the association, Sara Nelsonafter the decision of the Florida federal judge.
United Airlines was the first company to announce that it would no longer impose the mask on its flights in the United States, and on certain international flights, subject to regulations in the country of arrival. “As a result, our employees no longer have to wear a mask, and in most cases also do not have to impose them on passengers. However, they can choose to wear one. said a spokesperson.
Most US airlines, such as American Airlines or Delta Air Line, have followed suit.
