President Biden’s mask mandate for airplanes and other public transport methods was struck down Monday by a federal judge, claiming it was unlawful because the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) overstepped its statutory authority.
US District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle said that the implementation of the mandate violated administrative law. The ruling comes after the CDC extended the mask mandate last week through May 3 across all modes of public transportation.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will not enforce the COVID-19 mask mandate as a result of Mizelle’s ruling. According to the Biden Administration, the CDC continues to reccomend masks on public transportation.
According to White House press secretary Jen Psaki, the administration is reviewing the court's ruling, and the Justice Department will determine whether it will appeal.
Several airlines, including Delta, United, and Southwest, announced that masks are optional on their aircraft following Mizelle’s ruling.
“As a result of this development, effective immediately, masks are no longer required onboard Southwest Airlines or in most airports but certain cities, states, and countries may still require masks. We encourage individuals to make the best decision to support their personal wellbeing and to check local airport mask policies when traveling,” Southwest Airlines wrote in a statement.
The Association of Flight Attendants, the nation's largest union of cabin crews, says it “will wait to have more legal analysis on what this means and what the next steps may be taken in court by the government”.
"Immediately, we urge calm and consistency in the airports and on planes. The last thing we need for workers on the frontlines or passengers traveling today is confusion and chaos. Traveling can be stressful enough, and safety comes first with respect for everyone utilizing collective modes of transportation,” the union wrote.
It takes a minimum of 24-48 hours to implement new procedures and communicate new procedures through the entire network, according to the Association of Flight Attendants.
“Policies and procedures must be updated and thoroughly communicated to hundreds of thousands of employees, along with millions of travelers. Announcements and signage, electronic and physical must be updated,” the union wrote.
