Canada not ready to drop mask mandate for flights, travel

Despite moves south of the border to end a masking mandate for public transit and air passengers, Canada is not ready to do the same.

The federal government says in a statement to CityNews there is no change to the policy here, adding the top priority is keeping Canadians safe.

“We are taking a layered approach to keeping travellers safe, and masks remain an incredibly useful tool in our arsenal against COVID-19,” the statement read in part.

The government goes on to say that masks remain an incredibly useful tool against COVID-19 and that any decisions will be made on the latest public health advice.

In the U.S., a federal judge struck down that country’s mask mandate, saying the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention overstepped its authority in issuing the original health order on which the TSA directive was based.

U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle also said in her 59-page ruling that the order was fatally flawed because the CDC didn’t follow proper rule-making decisions.

The ruling still gives entities, like those that oversee planes, airports, taxis, and other mass transit, the option of keeping masking rules in place, meaning directives could vary from city to city.

The decision by Mizelle, an appointee of former President Donald Trump, was met with cheers on some airplanes but also some concern from many wondering if now is the right time to scale back on the pandemic measure.

According to the Government of Canada’s measures, people are required to wear masks at all times throughout their travel journey. It notes anyone who refuses to wear a mask when directed to do so could face fines.

Masks remain required in all Canadian airports.

— With files from The Associated Press