The county order would apply to buses, trains, taxis, ride-share services, as well as bus terminates and airports in the county. 

The order is set to go into effect on Friday, April 22, 2022, and will last at least a month. 

LA County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said the decision is based on the CDC’s statement that masks should still be worn while using public transit, regardless that the CDC mask mandate has been revoked by a federal judge. 

During the announcement, Ferrer said “They are experts,” and that “They made a determination that at this point having that requirement in place is necessary for the public’s health, and that resonates with us.”

On April 18, 2022, US District Court Judge Kathryn Mizelle for the Middle District of Florida Tampa Division concluded that “the Mask Mandate exceeds the CDC’s statutory authority and violates the procedures required for agency rulemaking under the APA.”

Judge Kathryn Mizelle wrote, “The Court concludes that the Mask Mandate exceeds the CDC’s statutory authority and violates the procedures required for agency rulemaking under the [Administrative Procedure Act],”

Adding that “Accordingly, the Court vacates the Mandate and remands it to the CDC.”

The order says “the court declares unlawful and vacates the mask mandate, remanding it to the CDC for further proceedings consistent with this order.”

The court concludes “the Mandate exceeded the CDC’s statutory authority, improperly invoked the good cause exception to notice and comment rulemaking, and failed to adequately explain its decisions.”

However, the decision allows for local agencies and governments to determine their own masking policies.