Several US carriers have eased their rules on face coverings after the rules were scrapped this week following a legal challenge.

Last week, US health officials sought to extend the mandate until 3 May. However, a judge in Florida ruled the mandate was unlawful.

District judge Kathryn Mizelle said the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had gone beyond its remit.

It means the US Transport Security Administration (TSA) will no longer enforce mask wearing, although the CDC will continue to recommend people do wear a face covering in-flight.

American Airlines, Delta and United have already relaxed their requirements for passengers to wear masks on certain flights.

The White House confirmed the changes would come into effect from Tuesday (19 April), noting the CDC’s recommendation.

US Travel Association executive vice-president of public affairs policy, Tori Emerson Barnes, said: The current decision to halt enforcement of the federal mask mandate effectively returns the choice of mask usage on planes and other forms of public transportation to travellers and travel industry workers, a further step toward endemic management of Covid.

“We also continue to urge the administration to immediately end pre-departure testing for vaccinated inbound international passengers, which discourages travel and provides limited public health benefits.”