Published on: 04/19/2022 – 04:12 An American judge lifted the obligation to wear a mask on public transport on Monday. Several airlines announced in the process that the mask would no longer be mandatory, at least on their domestic flights. The White House, for its part, expressed its disappointment. New in the management of the Covid-19 pandemic in the United States. A judge on Monday (April 18) declared the federal requirement 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, which sits in Tampa, Florida, considered in its 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, subways and coaches.Effective “immediately”Several American airlines announced in the process that the mask would no longer be compulsory, 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 mask – nor to impose it on passengers, in most cases. They will be able to choose to wear one, especially since the CDC continues to strongly recommend it on public transport”, detailed a spokesperson for the group. American, which had been among the first to impose the anti-Covid vaccine on its employees. American Airlines and Delta made similar announcements. Masks “well-fitted 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,” remarks for its part Alaska Airlines, before indicating that they are now optional, except on flights to and from Canada. This company also mentions in its press release the case of passengers banned because they had refused to wear a mask. “Based on our reports, some customers whose behavior was particularly offensive will remain banned from boarding, even after the mask rule change.” White House “disappointed” Joe Biden’s administration recently said found under increasing pressure to relax or cancel the mandatory mask. 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 the judge’s decision Mizelle 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 in public transport is not currently in force”. The Transport Security Agency, the TSA, will not enforce the obligation, said this senior official on condition of anonymity. With AFP