Masks no longer required: Federal judge strikes down mandate for air travel

File photo of a plane from the Dallas-Fort Worth connecting with the jet bridge at the St. George Regional Airport, allowing passengers to disembark, St. George, Utah, Sept. 26, 2019 | Photo by Mori Kessler, St. George News

ST. GEORGE — Passengers on airlines and other public transportation are no longer mandated to wear masks following a Florida judge’s striking down the national health order Monday.

For illustrative purposes only, representing the federal judge’s ruling ending the mask mandate for travelers | Photo by Maria Argutinskaya, iStock / Getty Images Plus, St. George News

According to the Associated Press, U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle in Tampa, Florida, said the Center for Disease Control and Prevention exceeded its authority in extending the mask mandate into May. The judge, who is an appointee of Donald Trump, wrote in her ruling that the CDC also failed to justify its decision and did not follow proper rulemaking procedure.

The CDC’s mask rule originally was set to expire today but was extended to May 3 by the CDC so health officials had more time the study a new COVID-19 variant called BA.2 Omicron. According to the Associated Press, it is the variant is responsible for the majority of COVID cases in America.

According to whitehouse.gov’s account of the daily press briefing, Press Secretary Jen Psaki said Monday afternoon that the Biden Administration had hoped the additional time would have allowed the CDC to “assess the latest science in keeping with its responsibility to protect the American people.”

Psaki added that the White House viewed the ruling as a “disappointing decision.”

“The CDC continues recommending wearing a mask in public transit,” Psaki said during the briefing. “As you know, this just came out this afternoon. So, right now, the Department of Homeland Security, who would be implementing, and the CDC are reviewing the decision. And, of course, the Department of Justice would make any determinations about litigation.”

In the wake of the decision, Delta Airlines announced over social media that: “Effective immediately, masks are optional for all airport employees, crew members and customers inside U.S. airports and on board aircraft domestically and on most international flights.”

The company also issued a letter to employees noting that other agencies may receive the news at different times over the next 24 hours.

“Remember to show understanding and patience with others who may not be aware enforcement is no longer required,” the letter states.

The letter concludes: “We are relieved to see the U.S. mask mandate lift to facilitate global travel as COVID-19 has transitioned to an ordinary seasonal virus. Thank you for your support in complying with the federal mask mandate and keeping each other, and our customers, safe during the pandemic.”

American Airlines posted abot the lifting of the mask mandate on its website at 7 p.m. Monday, April 18, 2022 | Photo courtesy of news.aa.com, St. George News

Delta Airlines, along with American Airlines, United Airlines and Alaska Airlines, is partnered with St. George-based SkyWest Airlines and regularly flies to and from St. George Regional Airport.

SkyWest Corporate Communications told St. George News through an email on Tuesday that “SkyWest has advised our people that masks are now optional on domestic flights and at U.S. airports. Of course, while employees and customers are no longer required to wear a mask, they may do so if they choose.”

The statement also recognized SkyWest employees for their role in making safety a priority.

“We appreciate the tremendous patience and support from our people through the duration of this requirement and for working together to keep our people and passengers safe and healthy during the pandemic,” the SkyWest statement said.

Delta also partners with SkyWest and offers flights to and from Salt Lake City through Cedar City Airport. The Salt Lake City International Airport Facebook page offered a post stating it is “aware of the changes to enforce the mask mandate. The Airport will continue to provide masks to those requesting them and suggests passengers continue to wear masks as recommended by the CDC.”

American Airlines also posted on its website the following announcement regarding masks and travel:

“American Airlines has prioritized the health and safety of its team members and customers throughout the pandemic and has supported the federal government’s measures to slow the spread of COVID-19. In accordance with the Transportation Security Administration no longer enforcing the federal face mask mandate, face masks will no longer be required for our customers and team members at U.S. airports and on domestic flights. Please note face masks may still be required based on local ordinances, or when traveling to/from certain international locations based on country requirements. In keeping with our commitment to creating a welcoming environment for everyone who travels with us, customers and team members may choose to continue to wear masks at their own discretion.

“We are deeply grateful to our team members for their enforcement of the mandate, and will share more information about this transition in the coming days.”

And United posted on its Facebook page at about 6:30 p.m. Monday, the following:

Masks are no longer required for United customers or employees on domestic flights, select international flights (dependent upon the arrival country’s requirements) or at U.S. airports. More comfortable keeping yours on? Go right ahead… the choice is yours!

St. George News reporter VIN CAPPIELLO contributed to this report.

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2022, all rights reserved.

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