MILWAUKEE— Masks are no longer required at airports across the country. Airlines are following suit after a recent ruling by a federal judge in Florida.
On Monday, U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle from Tampa said the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) failed to justify its decision and did not follow proper rule making. This ruling means that the CDC’s public transportation masking order is no longer in effect.
The TSA announced Monday in a statement saying in part, “TSA will also rescind the new Security Directives that were scheduled to take effect tomorrow. CDC continues to recommend that people wear masks in indoor public transportation settings at this time.”
Major airlines followed along as well. Masks are no longer required while flying on United, American, Delta, Alaska, Southwest, and JetBlue. Other companies like Amtrak, Uber, and Lyft are also no longer requiring masks.
So what does this mean for travelers? You don’t need a mask, however, many are welcome to wear one and the CDC is encouraging people to do so. At Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport on Tuesday, many were going about their travel day without a mask on hand. It was the first full day of the new ruling in effect.
“It’s nice to see people smiling. It’s nice to see their faces for a change,” passenger, Thomas Hoppe said.
Thomas Hoppe and his wife were headed to Tampa, Florida and were thrilled to be able to have the option to not wear a mask on their way to warmer weather.
“It’s a personal choice. People should have the right to wear a mask and a right to not wear the mask. I think it’s nice that we are slowly after two years getting to the point of accepting if someone is or isn’t wearing a mask,” Hoppe said.
While there is no visible signage stating masks aren’t required at the Milwaukee airport, it seems more people are picking up on the ruling as they see other passengers without a mask. For Jeff Ludwig who was also headed to Tampa, he said he’s keeping the mask for now.
“With being the age I am and the medical history that I do, I feel like it’s an insurance policy,” passenger, Jeff Ludwig said.
He said wearing the mask allows him to keep himself safe as he makes his second trip to the airport since the start of the pandemic. It’s a personal decision that many are looking forward to making for themselves.
“I think it’s important that we take care of each other the best we can,” Ludwig said.