White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki gives an official statement regarding the decision by a federal judge in Florida of mask mandates exceeded the authority of the CDC. (Photo is from the Video release of the White House Press Conference today, Monday, April 18th)

Tampa, Florida-

A federal judge voided the federal mask mandate required by airlines for travel and ruled it “unlawful,” allowing all airline travelers are not required to wear a mask anymore. The mask mandate had been in effect since January of last year and was due to expire this upcoming Monday, but CDC has refused to lessen restrictions of the mandate even with the pleading and requests of airline companies and other modes of public transportation companies.

The 33-year-old federal judge, U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle, in her decision summarized that the Central Disease Control could not justify the mandate and over-reached on its authority.

Last week the CDC made an announcement that it was extending the federal travel mask mandate another couple of weeks while they researched the BA.2 omicron subvariant of the coronavirus.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki stated it was “disappointing” and the decision was being reexamined by federal agencies. However, for now, the Transportation Security Administration will not be enforcing the mask mandate. Already, the majority of the airlines have dropped the mandate effective immediately. Those airlines who have not reported in are expected to follow suit and quit enforcing the mask mandate by tomorrow. This also includes all modes of federal transportation.

The official case, Case No: 8:21-cv-1693-KKM-AEP, was brought to the courts and filed by the Health Freedom Defense Fund, Inc. Part of the decision stated the CDC failed to follow proper procedure in the rule-making process.

*This is a breaking news story, so it will be updated as more information and data are collected and/or released.

Link to the official decision: Case No: 8:21-cv-1693-KKM-AEP