WASHINGTON (Reuters] -A Florida judge ruled that a U.S. mandatory mask on public transportation was illegal, turning back a Biden administration attempt to limit the spread COVID-19.

U.S. Health officials last week extended the 15-day mandate that requires travelers to use masks in airplanes and trains as well as in taxis, rideshare vehicles, or transit hubs. This was to allow them time to analyze the effect of an increase in COVID-19.

U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle ruled in the matter. This was a suit filed by the Health Freedom Defense Fund last year in Tampa.

Judge Mizelle stated that the CDC exceeded its authority by the mandate and had not sought public comments or adequately explained its decisions.

Federal Aviation Administration and Transportation Security Administration both declined comment. The White House and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention did not respond immediately.

First issued by the CDC in February 2021 was a public order requiring that interstate travel be conducted in masks. To enforce the CDC order, Transportation Security Administration (TSA), issued a security instruction.

The judge remitted the issue to the CDC. It wasn’t clear whether the order of the judge would immediately take effect.

Republican legislators and industry groups wanted to see the government immediately repeal the mask mandate that has been in place for 14 months.

For example, Airlines for America had asked the Biden administration to “lean into science, research, and which clearly support lifting this mask mandate.” When masks aren’t recommended for places such as bars, restaurants and crowded sporting facilities it makes little sense to put them on planes.

Representatives of major U.S. airline passenger carriers, the group did not respond to Monday’s ruling.