New in the management of the Covid-19 pandemic in the United States.

A judge on Monday declared the federal obligation to wear a sanitary mask on public transport in the country illegal, and the airlines immediately updated their rules, after several weeks of legal battles.

The magistrate, Kathryn Kimball Mizelle, who sits in Tampa, Florida, considered in her decision that the American Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC), the main federal health agency, had exceeded their prerogatives by imposing this obligation, which applies in particular to planes, trains, metros and coaches.

Effective "immediately"

Several American airlines announced in the process that the mask would no longer be mandatory, at least on their domestic flights.

United Airlines said the change was effective "immediately" on its flights within the United States, and on some international flights, depending on the rules in the country of arrival.

“This means that our employees no longer have to wear a mask – or impose one on passengers, in most cases. They will be able to choose to wear one, especially as the CDC continues to strongly recommend it in public transport”, detailed a spokesperson for the American group, which had been among the first to impose the anti-Covid vaccine on its employees.

American Airlines and Delta made similar announcements.

Masks that "fit well protect the person wearing them, even if people around aren't wearing them," Delta recalled.

"Masks have been like boarding passes for almost two years - impossible to fly without," notes Alaska Airlines, before indicating that they are now optional, except on flights to and from the United States. Canada.

This company also mentions in its press release the case of passengers banned because they had refused to wear a mask.

“According to our reports, some customers whose behavior has been particularly offensive will remain banned on board, even after the change in the mask rule.”

The White House "disappointed"

Joe Biden's administration has recently found itself under increasing pressure to relax or roll back the mask requirement.

Twenty Republican-led states and several major airlines have called for an end to this measure on planes and other public transport.

But last week, federal authorities finally made the decision to extend the mask requirement until at least May 3.

White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said Justice Mizelle's ruling was "disappointing," noting that "the CDC continues to recommend wearing a mask on public transportation."

According to a senior White House official, the decision "means that the CDC's mask-wearing order on public transportation is not in effect at this time."

The Transport Security Agency, the TSA, will not enforce the obligation, said the senior official on condition of anonymity.

With AFP

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