CDC decides to appeal to restore travel mask mandate; DOJ files notice [Updated]

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7:45 pm ET update: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention decided to appeal a Florida judge's ruling Monday that abruptly vacated the federal travel mask mandate. The Department of Justice said Tuesday that it would appeal the ruling if the CDC determined that the mask mandate was still necessary.

In a media statement late Wednesday afternoon, the CDC said it determined that masks are necessary and told the DOJ to proceed with the appeal. "It is CDC’s continuing assessment that at this time an order requiring masking in the indoor transportation corridor remains necessary for the public health," the statement said. "CDC will continue to monitor public health conditions to determine whether such an order remains necessary. CDC believes this is a lawful order, well within CDC’s legal authority to protect public health," the agency added.

DOJ spokesperson Anthony Coley announced in a tweet Wednesday evening that in light of the CDC's decision, the DOJ filed a notice of appeal in the case.