Travelers head to the airport wearing masks.Photo: Paul Hennessy/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will no longer enforce the CDC’smask mandatefor travel after a federal judge in Florida struck down the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) directive.
“The agencies are reviewing the decision and assessing potential next steps. In the meantime, today’s court decision means CDC’s public transportation masking order is not in effect at this time,” a Biden administration official said in a statement to several outlets.
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“Therefore, TSA will not enforce its Security Directives and Emergency Amendment requiring mask use on public transportation and transportation hubs at this time,” the official added. “CDC recommends that people continue to wear masks in indoor public transportation settings.”
White House press secretaryJen Psakicalled the ruling “disappointing” during a briefing on Monday, noting that the administration is reviewing the decision, which they could choose to appeal.
Travelers wearing masks at an airport.Getty
Delta Airlines,Alaska Airlines,American AirlinesandSouthwest Airlineshave since released statements detailing their new relaxed masking policies. United Airlines has also lifted its policy, which they announced in a memo to employees.
“This means that you are no longer required to wear a mask – and no longer have to enforce a mask requirement for most of the flying public,” the memo said, according toBloomberg.
In response to the ruling, the Association of Flight Attendants noted that it could take airports 24 to 48 hours to implement new masking policies, urging patience and calmness in a statement from union president Sara Nelson.
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“We urge everyone to practice patience, remain calm, and to continue to follow crewmember instructions,” thestatementreads. “And we remind passengers that it is legally required to follow crewmember instructions, and that disruptive behavior has serious consequences as it puts everyone at risk. Our work space is your travel space. Let’s get where we’re going, together.”
Since implementing the CDC’s mask mandate in late Jan. 2021, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has recordedmore than 5,000 reportsof unruly passengers in mask-related incidents.
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source: people.com
