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Masks are no longer required at some California airports like LAX.
The Los Angeles International Airport confirmed yesterday that face coverings are now optional after TSA said they would no longer enforce the policy. Also, airlines like Alaska, American, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest and United said that masks are no longer required on their domestic flights. “The agencies are reviewing the decision and assessing potential next steps,” the CDC said in a statement shared by the Association of Flight Attendants, a union representing almost 50,000 flight attendants. “In the meantime, today's court decision means CDC’s public transportation masking order is not in effect at this time. Therefore, TSA will not enforce its Security Directives and Emergency Amendment requiring mask use on public transportation and transportation hubs at this time. CDC recommends that people continue to wear masks in indoor public transportation settings.
Mask lifting could also potentially start affecting ground transportation - Amtrak riders and employees do not have to wear a mask anymore as of Monday, but anyone who chooses to is “encouraged to do so,” Amtrak said in a statement. The national mask mandate on public transportation was struck down Monday by a federal judge in Florida, who ruled the CDC overstepped its authority.
The Association of Flight Attendants issued a statement Monday asking for “calm and consistency” in airports and planes, noting that “it is not yet clear” what Mizelle’s ruling means for travelers.