Everything You Need to Know About the Mask Mandate Lift
The United States Department of Justice is planning to appeal a district court judge’s ruling that struck down the airplane mask mandate if the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention deems it necessary.
BREAKING: DOJ will appeal mask ruling. pic.twitter.com/it2d9SAkQ4
— Ryan J. Reilly (@ryanjreilly) April 19, 2022
According to the CDC guidelines, the Biden Administration extended the airplane mask mandate until May 3, after its previous deadline was deemed too soon to lift the requirement. The DOJ stated that they, “disagree with the district court’s decision and will appeal, subject to C.D.C.’s conclusion that the order remains necessary for public health,” and that the Department, “continues to believe that the order requiring masking in the transportation corridor is a valid exercise of the authority Congress has given C.D.C. to protect the public health…That is an important authority the department will continue to work to preserve.”
Many major airlines applauded the decision, with some sharing the ruling with passengers mid-flight. In a statement, Delta announced, “We are relieved to see the U.S. mask mandate lift to facilitate global travel as COVID-19 transitions to a more manageable respiratory virus — with better treatments, vaccines, and other scientific measures to prevent serious illness.”
I am on a plan with my 2 not-yet-eligible for vax kids & the pilot just announced that the mask mandate has just this minute ended. Ppl clapped & took off their masks. Here we are having boarded a plane with our kids. Very upset, @Delta, that this was announced mid flight.
— Brooke Tansley (@BrookeTansley) April 19, 2022
President Biden expressed, “That’s up to them,” when asked whether people should still mask on planes.
The BA.2 subvariant of omicron has been sweeping the US and has caused officials to proceed with caution when changing public health guidelines. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused the deaths of nearly 1,000,000 Americans. Currently, there are 9,416 people hospitalized with the virus, and the rolling daily case average is 37,132.
