A US federal judge ruled that a national guideline for use of face masks on airplanes and other means of public transport it is not legal, thus nullifying a policy of the Joe Biden administration.
Monday’s ruling by US District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle in Tampa, Florida, contends that health officials had exceeded their authority in issuing the guideline.
The judge said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) did not adequately justify its decision and did not follow procedures in issuing the order.
Earlier this month, the CDC extended the rule of use of face masks on public transport for 15 days until May 3. Health authorities said they needed time to assess the impact of the BA.2 omicron subvariant of the coronavirus, which is causing a surge in cases in some parts of the country.
The rule, which was first issued in February 2021, includes the use of a mask on planes, trains, transit centers, taxis and shared vehicles.
The lawsuit against the mask guideline was filed last year in Florida by a group called the Health Freedom Defense Fund.
Airlines had lobbied for months for the federal government to end the rule, arguing that advanced filters on planes make in-flight transmission of the coronavirus unlikely.
It is unclear if the judge’s order would take effect immediately or if the Biden Administration will attempt to block the ruling.
The White House and the CDC did not immediately comment on the judge’s decision.
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