Florida Judge Ends Federal Mask Mandate for Planes & Buses
Written by Andrew-Rossi on April 19, 2022
One of the last public measures to combat COVID-19 is gone after a federal judge overturned the last federal mask mandate for public transportation.
Reuters reports U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle of Florida overturned the mandate requiring masks on all public transportation. The mandate includes buses and planes.
Last week, the C.D.C extended the mandate for an additional 15 days. Judge Mizelle said the C.D.C exceeded its authority with the mandate, had not sought public comment, and did not adequately explain its decisions.
Mika Baumeister, Unsplash
Masks are no longer required on public transportation – at least, on a federal level.
The mandate was issued in February 2021. Since then, many organizations have pushed for the mandate to be lifted as the COVID-19 pandemic subsides.
The U.S. Senate voted 57-40 last month to overturn the public health order requiring masks on airplanes and other forms of public transportation. President Biden may veto that bill.
Judge Mizelle ruled on a case filed last year by the Health Freedom Defense Fund. The group’s website says it’s an organization that stands for freedom, choice, and the most basic human rights and bodily autonomy.
