Utah joins mask mandate lawsuit against federal government
Mar 30, 2022, 8:40 AM | Updated: Aug 2, 2022, 12:40 pm
FILE: People wait to check-in at the Qatar Airways counter amid coronavirus fears at Miami International Airport in March, 2020. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
(Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah has joined 20 other states in a lawsuit against the federal government’s mask mandate.
The lawsuit claims the mask mandate on planes and other public transportation is illegal and goes beyond the authority of the Center for Disease Prevention and Control in states that have banned mask mandates.
The effort is being led by Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis.
“It’s turned the airlines into having to police this,” DeSantis said. “It’s created a lot of unruly passenger situations because it’s so frustrating for people.”
Previous challenges to the mask mandate have gone nowhere in the courts.
The complaint seeks to end the mask mandate and establish a permanent injunction against its enforcement, according to a press release from Governor Desantis’ office.
The CDC recently extended the rule until April 18. But it’s unclear whether it’ll be extended or adjusted again.
