Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle of Tampa, Florida, said the CDC had exceeded its powers by making masks mandatory. In addition, the authority did not adequately justify its decision. At first it was unclear what the immediate consequences of the decision would be.
More and more resistance
The court referred the regulation back to the health authority. US President Joe Biden made masks compulsory on public transport shortly after taking office in January 2021. At the beginning of February, the CDC health authority then ordered that mouth and nose protection must be worn on airplanes, ships, ferries, trains, subways, buses, taxis and similar means of transport. The obligation also applies in airports, train stations and ports. The regulation was extended several times, most recently until the beginning of May. In recent months there has been increasing resistance, including from airlines.
“Disappointing Decision”
White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki called it a “disappointing decision.” When asked whether travelers on trains or planes would no longer have to wear a mask, she said that was still being checked. The Department of Homeland Security and the CDC are responsible. The Ministry of Justice, in turn, has to decide whether to take legal action against the decision. Irrespective of this, everyone is still advised to wear a mask on public transport.
appeal possible
The Biden government has recently been increasingly confronted with demands to relax or lift this corona measure. Republican lawmakers and several major airlines had called for an end to mask requirements on planes and other public transportation. The White House and the Justice Department can appeal the decision. Last week, the US authorities decided to extend the mask requirement until at least May 3 due to the increasing number of corona infections.
Source: Nachrichten
