No more masks on US planes as federal judge strikes down Biden mandate extension

A Florida judge voids a national mask mandate.

The White House said the rule will not be enforced after a judge in Florida struck it down.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention did not follow proper rule-making and failed to justify its decision to extend the mandate, according to a US district judge.

The procedures required for agency rulemaking are violated by the mask requirement.

The only way to get rid of the rule was to leave it in place, because it would be impossible to end it for the group who objected to it.

A limited remedy would not be a remedy at all, according to the judge nominated by Donald Trump.

The court declares that the system does not allow agencies to act illegally even in pursuit of desirable ends.

In light of the decision, the Transportation Security Administration, which runs security at airports, will not enforce directives requiring mask use on public transportation and transportation hubs.

Airlines across the country said that masks for travellers will now be optional.

While we are happy that many of us get to see your smiling faces, we understand that some might have mixed feelings, according to an Alaska representative.

Please remember to be kind to one another and that wearing a mask while traveling is still an option.

While this means that our employees are no longer required to wear a mask, and no longer have to enforce a mask requirement for most of the flying public, they will be able to wear masks if they choose.

The Biden administration lawyers argued that Congress had the authority to prevent the spread of disease. They said the mask mandate was within the authority of the CDC.

This is a disappointing decision. The CDC continues to recommend wearing a mask on public transportation, according to the White House press secretary.