

Shortly thereafter, the Transportation Security Administration announced that it would not enforce its Security Directives and Emergency Amendment requiring mask use on public transportation and transportation hubs at this time. She found a “strong interest” behind the mandate, but “because our system does not permit agencies to act unlawfully even in the pursuit of desirable ends, the court declares unlawful and vacates the mask mandate.”

In so doing, the CDC violated the Administrative Procedure Act, as the agency failed to prove its decision regarding implementing the mandate. In a 59-page ruling, that Florida judge found that the CDC had exceeded its authority and failed to follow proper rulemaking procedures. The ruling found that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had overstepped its authority, failed to adequately explain its reasons for the mandate, and did not allow public comment in violation of federal procedures for issuing new rules.

This started yesterday when a federal judge in Florida vacated the federal mask mandate for airplanes and other forms of public transportation. This post shares details about what led to this decision, and why there were still any face covering requirements prior to this. Approximately two months after dropping the indoor mask rule for fully vaccinated guests, Walt Disney World is ending all face mask requirements for everyone.
