A Federal Judge in the state of Florida struck down the Biden administration’s mask mandate for airplanes and other public transport methods on Monday, April 18. US District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle called the mandate unlawful, and that it “exceeded the statutory authority of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and because its implementation violated administrative law.” Tampa International Airport officials have put out a statement that masks are now option at the airport.
A tweet was posted to the airport’s official account: Per TSA’s removal of its federal mask mandate, masks are now optional at Tampa International Airport, effective immediately. Passengers, employees and guests are no longer required wear masks or face coverings in any of the facilities or terminals at TPA.
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CDC had extended the mask mandate through May 3
Just last week, the CDC extended this mask mandate through May 3. The masking requirement applied to airplanes, trains, and other forms of public transportation. While mask mandates have been lifted for various places and businesses across the country, transportation hubs have remained under a federal order requiring masks indoors, including for those traveling on commercial aircraft or through airports.
Until the federal order is lifted, masks continue to be mandatory for all employees, passengers and guests at Tampa International Airport. Guests needing face masks may purchase them in our shops or pick up disposable face masks free of charge at the Guest Services kiosk located on Level 3 of the Main Terminal. Exemptions to the face mask requirement for travelers under the age of 2 and those with certain disabilities as well as civil penalty fines remain in place.
Federal Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle was appointed to the federal court in late 2020 by then-President Donald Trump. She had been rated “not qualified” by the American Bar Association for “the short time she has actually practiced law and her lack of meaningful trial experience.”
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