NEWS: Federal Judge Strikes Down Mask Mandate for Planes and More

The U.S. mask mandate on planes, trains, and other forms of public transportation, as well as transportation hubs, has been extended by the CDC once again through early May 2022.

The mandate was set to expire in mid-April, but was just recently extended, just as we had seen it repeatedly extended in the past. Now, however, there has been a unique development regarding the mandate that could change things.

According to the Associated Press, a “federal judge in Florida has voided the national mask mandate,” which applies to airplanes and other forms of public transportation. The judge has reportedly struck down the mask mandate as “exceeding the authority of U.S. health officials” when it comes to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The decision was made Monday by U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle in Tampa. Mizelle was appointed to the bench by former president Donald Trump. (AP)

The Judge’s full opinion can be read by clicking here. The full opinion was shared via CNN.

In the ruling, Judge Mizelle said that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) improperly failed to justify its decision regarding the mask mandate and reportedly didn’t follow proper rulemaking. (AP)

CNN shares that the judge ruled that the mask mandate was unlawful because it exceeded the CDC’s “statutory authority” and because “its implementation violated administrative law.” (CNN)

Judge Mizelle noted that the only remedy was to void the mask rule entirely. According to AP, the judge said, “a limited remedy would be no remedy at all.” (AP)

In the decision, Mizelle wrote “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.” (AP)

CNN shares that other lawsuits which targeted the mask mandate had been filed but had failed in their attempt to block it. (CNN)

The ramifications of Judge Mizelle’s ruling is not immediately clear. CNN shares that it is unclear how quickly Judge Mizelle’s ruling could be implemented or if the Justice Department will be filing an appeal and/or seeking an order to halt that ruling.