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4/19/2022
The Transportation Security Administration announced yesterday it will no longer enforce its security directives and emergency amendment requiring mask use on public transportation and in transportation hubs.
The announcement follows a federal judge's ruling yesterday that struck down the mask mandate for planes, public transportation, train stations and airports. The judge determined that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's extension of the mask mandate through May 3 exceeded the agency's legal authority.
Due to the potential severity of the COVID-19 Omicron subvariant known as BA.2, the CDC continues to recommend that people wear masks at indoor public transportation settings.
Immediately after the judge’s ruling, Amtrak and a number of major transit-rail agencies — including New Jersey Transit, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority — announced mask-wearing is now optional for passengers and employees.
"Our mask mandate has been based on federal guidance," said WMATA General Manager and CEO Paul Wiedefeld. "We will continue to monitor this situation as it unfolds, but masks will be optional on Metro property until further notice."
Although Amtrak has relaxed its mask mandate, "masks are welcome and remain an important preventive measure against COVID-19," Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari said in an email.
Some agencies are continuing to require mask-wearing for now. They include the Chicago Transit Authority, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority and Metropolitan Transportation Authority in New York.