Florida judge voids travel mask mandate; White House responds
The decision by a Florida judge says the mandate exceeded the authority of the CDC, which failed to justify the order.
Ariana Triggs, USA TODAY
Travel is looking completely different today than it did yesterday – or any day in the past two years – as masks are now optional on just about every major mode of transportation.
From airlines to rideshare companies, transportation providers have quickly pivoted after a federal judge in Florida voided the federal mask mandate Monday. U.S. District Court Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle said the mandate exceeded the authority of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which failed to justify the order and didn’t follow proper rulemaking procedures.
“As a result of a court order, effective immediately and as of April 18, 2022, CDC’s January 29, 2021 order requiring masks on public transportation conveyances and at transportation hubs is no longer in effect,” the CDC said in a statement also posted on its website. “Therefore, CDC will not enforce the order. CDC continues to recommend that people wear masks in indoor public transportation settings at this time.”
Here’s what that means for travelers.
‘A BIT OF WHIPLASH’: Public transit riders encounter patchwork of mask rules across US
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Is the mask mandate overturned forever?
White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Tuesday that the Justice Department was still reviewing the federal court’s decision and hasn’t determined whether to appeal, adding that the review process could take a couple of days.
The mask mandate had been extended by 15 days last week and was set to expire on May 3. Psaki defended the administration’s extension , arguing it was made to assess an increase in COVID-19 cases.
“We still feel that is entirely reasonable based on the latest science, and public health decisions shouldn’t be made by the courts,” Psaki said. “They should be made by public health experts.”
Psaki rejected the notion that the court ruling has caused confusion among the public, noting that the CDC still is advising that people wear them on airplanes. Air Force One remained in line with CDC guidelines and required masks during President Joe Biden’s visit Tuesday to Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Biden wore a black mask as he boarded.
When asked by a reporter, after arriving in New Hampshire, whether people should continue to wear masks on planes, Biden said, “That’s up to them.”
Are masks required on planes?
Every major U.S. airline has now made face masks optional for passengers and employees. That includes Delta, United, American and Southwest as well as Spirit, Frontier and Allegiant, and newer airlines like Breeze and Avelo.
“You may experience inconsistent enforcement during the next 24 hours as this news is more broadly communicated – remember to show understanding and patience with others who may not be aware enforcement is no longer required,” Delta told travelers in a statement.
Other airlines reminded travelers to respect the decisions of people who choose to continue wearing masks.
“We look forward to seeing your smiles on board & encourage kindness & respect for those who continue to mask,” Sun Country Airlines tweeted.
Several airlines noted that some destinations, particularly abroad, may still require wearing masks.
Like airlines, many airports across the country are leaning on TSA guidance and lifting mask requirements. Airports like Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International, Dallas Fort Worth International and Los Angeles International have made masks optional. Port Authority of New York and New Jersey tweeted that face coverings are now optional at Newark Liberty International and Teterboro airports but still required at New York facilities, including John F. Kennedy International and LaGuardia airports. Chicago’s O’Hare and Midway International appeared to still require masks as well.
“The safety and security of passengers and employees is the highest priority for the Chicago Department of Aviation,” the CDA said in a statement Tuesday. “The CDA will continue to follow, observe and enforce all guidance by federal, state and local health and security authorities. This includes Illinois Executive Order 2022-06 which requires masks on public transportation and in transportation hubs.”
Are masks required on trains?
Amtrak is still encouraging, but not requiring, face masks on its trains.
“While Amtrak passengers and employees are no longer required to wear masks while on board trains or in stations, masks are welcome and remain an important preventive measure against COVID-19,” Amtrak said in a statement. “Anyone needing or choosing to wear one is encouraged to do so.”
Brightline, which provides rail service in Florida, has made face masks optional but suggested them for people who are considered “high-risk,” including people who are not fully vaccinated.
Regional commuter train and subway policies may vary across the country.
Local transportation seems to be still catching up to the changes. The L.A. Metro and MTA in New York City still require riders to wear a mask.
Are masks required on buses?
Coach USA, Megabus and Greyhound are no longer requiring face masks for passengers or employees.
“The CDC still recommends wearing a mask while on public transit and we encourage customers to make the choice that makes sense for them,” Coach USA and Megabus Vice President Colin Emberson said in a statement. “Please be mindful that masks may still be required while traveling through the bus stations we serve.”
Greyhound still required face masks as of Monday evening, but in a statement via communications specialist Crystal Booker on Tuesday, the company said: “In accordance with the Transportation Security Administration no longer enforcing the federal face mask mandate, face masks on all our buses and facilities is optional with the following exceptions: Face masks are required on cross border trips into Canada and Mexico until Canada and Mexico remove their requirements. Face masks will still be required if mandated by local municipalities.”
Do I need to wear a mask on Uber or Lyft?
Mask are now optional for riders and drivers on Uber and Lyft.
“Remember: many people still feel safer wearing a mask because of personal or family health situations, so please be respectful of their preferences,” Uber posted on its website. “And if you ever feel uncomfortable, you can always cancel the trip.”
Uber also noted that the CDC still recommends wearing face masks.
“Anyone who wants to continue wearing a mask is encouraged to do so,” Lyft said in a statement. “As always, drivers or riders can decline to accept or cancel any ride they don’t wish to take.”
What do travelers think?
Eighty-year-old Robert Reidy of Santa Fe, New Mexico, called the judge’s mask ruling “ridiculous.”
“I think that we need to comply with the perception of what’s good for everyone,” Reidy said Monday night at Oakland International Airport.
“It still feels a little risky at this point. Cases go up and they go down,” added David Peterkofsky of Oakland, California. “We’re not out of the woods yet.”
The federal mask mandate was extended last week through May 3 after a rise in cases of coronavirus subvariants like omicron BA.2.
But the ruling couldn’t come soon enough for Nicole Kelso of Dallas.
“We prefer not to wear masks, but if it’s required, we’ll put it on,” Kelso said at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas. “We’re from Texas, and we haven’t been wearing masks for about a year and a half.”
Pat Cane of Walnut Creek, California, also said he’ll follow whatever the rules are.
“I won’t wear a mask if not mandated,” he said. “We have to move on and get to the point where we treat (the coronavirus) like any other virus. We can’t continue to shut down the economy or jobs.”
Story continues below.
Planes, trains, busses lift mask mandates and travel restrictions
Passengers on flights across the country cheered as mask mandates were lifted for airplanes and other forms of public transportation.
Cody Godwin, USA TODAY
A number of videos on social media showed elation among many airline passengers Monday as they learned the mask mandate would not be enforced.
“While I’ve seen those videos, anecdotes are not data,” Psaki said. “Certainly that does tell a part of the story. But we don’t make these decisions based on politics or based on the political winds on a plane or even in a poll.”
She said many Americans, according to polls, still want to have mask mandates in place.
Contributing: Bailey Schulz, Dawn Gilbertson, Morgan Hines, Terry Collins, USA TODAY
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