A federal judge has ruled that the CDC's requirement that masks be worn on flights is unconstitutional. The US transportation mask mandate is over in theory. It's not in practice. You probably need to wear a mask on a plane for now.
The ruling deemed the federal mandate to bearbitrary and lacked explanation as to why these air travel related venues differed from other indoor venues. There have been no mask mandates for other indoor spaces for a long time.
The matter will be referred back to the CDC. The ruling will stand if an appeal is lodged. We will soon know.
“Because ‘our system does not permit agencies to act unlawfully even in the pursuit of desirable ends,’ the court declares unlawful and vacates the mask mandate,”
Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle, US District Court Judge
With massive confusion in planes, trains, busses and airports today as a result of the ruling, here is what you need to know for your upcoming travels. Hopefully, soon!
Airlines still haven't dropped their face mask policies despite the fact that information could change in minutes, hours, or days. Their policy is to wear a face mask until they do. Yes, despite the ruling.
Airlines have been waiting for the federal government to end the mask mandates, but they have waited for the government to lead.
Until airlines make a decision on how to play this hot button issue, the best policy is to wear a mask on board and wait to see if the Biden Administration appeals.
cabin crew members with one less argument to put out will be grateful during this confusing interim travel period, even if they don't agree with the safety elements of proper masks.
The feeling about on time flights is generally good, whatever people think about the federal government. On time flights and mask fights don't mix.
The federal mask mandate was extended by 15 days before it was due to expire. The earliest date for masks to be dropped was May.
If not for the federal court ruling striking the mask mandate down, masks would still be required on planes and airports for at least 15 more days. Airline policies are still in place. That might change again.
There is a growing debate about whether the Biden Administration and CDC will appeal the mandate, or if they will take a page out of the old political playbook. They can't be blamed if things go wrong if they didn't end it.
If the Biden Administration doesn't challenge the federal ruling, they could claim that their health measures were taken away from them by the judicial system.
Challenging the ruling could cause more confusion.
In a few days, the dust will settle and officials will be hounding both the CDC and the judicial system. The CEO of the airline will be able to clear the air for passengers when political winds are blowing in a certain way.
There will be a unified statement regarding masks on planes once airlines know what the Biden Administration and CDC will do about the ruling. I would expect all US airlines to deliver a unified statement, or to be called into a press conference by the Biden Administration to discuss the end game.
If President Biden says that there won't be a new challenge to the court ruling, it's safe to assume that airlines will drop their policies immediately.
For the sake of an on time flight, wear a mask in the airport. Fights between passengers are not helping anyone. If you don't like the federal power of the mask mandate, you will not like having a criminal arrest record for being a disruptive passenger.
As news develops, we will update this story.
If you have been putting off travel in order to remove masks at the airport or in flight, you need to kick the ticket a bit further down the line. Maybe, much. The federal mask mandate for airports and airplanes has been extended by the United States.
Travel News.
The administration swooped in quickly to let people know that the mask mandate wouldn't be dropping on March 18th. The review date of April 18th would be the next possible juncture.
Travel News.
When mandatory face masks will be dropped, and where and how it will be done, is a simple question. masks and face coverings are still required on planes and airports in the US
Travel News.
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