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After a Federal Judge blocked the government's COVID-era transportation mask mandate, the City of Shreveport has announced changes to their policy.

On Monday, a judge in Florida ruled against the Federal Government, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), on their COVID-19 transportation mask mandate. Judge Kathryn Mizelle said that the CDC did not have the authority to make these rules. She said:

"Because our system does not permit agencies to act unlawfully even in pursuit of desirable ends, the court declares unlawful and vacates the mask mandate"

The CDC had just recently extended this policy until April 18th, 2022.

After that ruling, multiple industries immediately moved to lift policies. Because of the timing of the ruling, there are anecdotes of passengers mid-flight being told they can take their masks off. With some stories of airline employees crying when told they can take their mask off for the first time in over 2 years.

Now that change has trickled down to the City of Shreveport. Mayor Adrian Perkins posted on social media Tuesday that SportTran has now made masking for riders and employees optional:

Their statement says:

"SporTran has recieved offical word from our federal partners that USDOT mask mandate on public transit will no longer be enforced. 

Effective immediately, masks are optional for all SportTran employees and customers."

This comes as the COVID pandemic is winding down across the world. Even though some countries are dealing with increasing cases, hospitalizations remain low. In Louisiana, the Department of Health (LDH) reported very low numbers today, continuing a downward trend. For Tuesday, April 19th, the State of Louisiana reported 141 confirmed cases, 55 probable cases, and 9 confirmed deaths.

For the same date in Caddo Parish, LDH reported 9 new COVID cases, with a rolling 7-day average of 5 cases per day. LDH also reported -1 COVID deaths in Caddo Parish for April 19th, with a rolling 7-day average of 0.14 deaths per day.

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