'You May Remove Your Mask': Plane Passengers Cheer as Mandate Lifted Mid-Flight
Passengers cheered as JetBlue Airways staff announced they would no longer be required to wear masks after a federal judge in Florida struck down a public transport mask mandate on Monday, April 18.
This footage, filmed by Twitter user @sythergonred, shows travellers aboard a Florida-bound flight reacting to the announcement.
“I’ve been going up and down this coast, south Florida to New York for about 35 years… my company announced at this moment if you choose to you may remove your mask,” the staff member said.
US District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle said the mask mandate exceeded the statutory authority of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Federal officials had extended the mandate for commercial flights and in other transportation settings, including on buses, ferries and subways, until at least May 3.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said the CDC continued recommending wearing a mask in public transit. Credit: @sythergonred via Storyful
Video Transcript
- [INAUDIBLE] for you. I've been going up and down the East Coast to south Florida and to New York for about 35 years, worked through the blackout and 9/11, all the snowstorms, crazy stuff. And it's kind of a crazy world.
We just got an announcement a few minutes ago. Some of you may have seen the press release today that a judge overturned the mask mandate.
- Yay.
- My company announces--
- Yes!
- Yay.
- My company announces at this moment, if you choose to, you may remove your mask.
- Whoo!
- Whoo!
- Yeah!
- I you remain concerned, if you're compromised, you certainly can keep your mask on. And we're going to be well. Sorry for the bumpy ride [INAUDIBLE], again.
