Travelers may still be required by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to wear masks on planes, trains and other forms of transport in the future, per a Monday Supreme Court decision.
According to The Hill, the court let a U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit decision from December 2021 stand.
This decision found that there was “no merit” to California attorney Jonathan Corbett’s claim the TSA did not have the authority to mandate masks on airlines and surface transportation. TSA announced these requirements to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
However, the TSA stopped enforcing mask mandates months ago due to another decision handed down from a Florida judge who was appointed by former President Donald Trump.
As of last week, COVID-19 infections were down in the U.S. and more than 68% of the population had completed their primary vaccination series. Also, updated booster shots were available and the Paxlovid COVID treatment was available.
Although these statistics indicate a positive pandemic outlook, officials are concerned about a potential holiday season spike in infections.
Last week, the White House has begged people to get up-to-date on their vaccines and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Rochelle Walensky herself came down with the virus herself recently.
New CDC mask guidance based on community COVID-19 transmission levels was announced in early September.
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