New York public transit refuses to abolish masks despite federal court ruling
'20.04.2022'
Nadezhda Verbitskaya
Many U.S. airlines are no longer requiring masks to be worn on their flights after a federal judge in Florida ruled on Monday against the CDC's national mask-wearing mandate. Secret NYC.
The original mandate was first introduced on January 29, 2021, however, following a recent court ruling, the CDC will no longer require masks to be worn on public transportation and at hubs in the US.
The access lift applies to all passengers and staff on the flight. The TSA originally planned to extend the Safety Directives requiring masks on public transport and transport hubs until May 3, 2022. However, their recent statement on April 18, 2022 regarding the new regulation can be read below:
The TSA will no longer enforce its Safety Directives requiring the use of masks in public transport and at transport hubs. The TSA will also cancel the new Safety Directives that were due to take effect tomorrow. The CDC continues to recommend that people wear masks in closed areas of public transport during this time.
On the subject: Lifting quarantine restrictions in New York: where you still need to wear masks
These US airlines no longer require masks on their flights:
- American Airlines
- Alaska Airlines
- Delta
- Frontier Airlines
- Hawaiian Airlines
- jet blue airlines
- Spirit Airlines
- Southwest Airlines
- United Airlines
New York, as always, has a dissenting opinion
While the ordinance covered public transit and hubs across the country, the MTA still enforces mask requirements, and Amtrak and NJ Transit still encourage masks, reports NBC New York.
“The requirement to wear masks on public transportation in New York remains in effect for the time being in accordance with the decision of the New York State Department of Health on March 2, 2022,” said Tim Minton, director of communications for the MTA.
.@TSA announced that it'll no longer enforce a mask mandate in public transportation settings. Masks will no longer be required on @NJTRANSIT & by South Jersey Transportation Authority. Individuals may wear a mask based on personal preference, informed by personal level of risk.
- Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) April 19, 2022
As new confirmed cases of the coronavirus, caused by the spread of a highly infectious sub-variant of the omicron known as BA.2, rise across the country, New York City's public transit network leaders are maintaining mask requirements, citing public health advice.
Tim Minton, a spokesman for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which operates the New York City subway, bus and commuter rail networks, confirmed Monday night that the mandate would remain in place.
He pointed to the New York State Health Commissioner's March 2 decision outlining the protective measures against transmission of the virus offered by wearing masks, especially on public transportation.
M.T.A. falls under state control. On Tuesday, Kathy Hokul spoke out in support of maintaining the mandate, while emphasizing the importance of vaccination and regular testing.
“Do your part to keep your neighbors safe,” she tweeted.
Governor Hokul hinted later Tuesday that the federal government's response to the ruling could influence New York's approach.
“We're evaluating, we're waiting to see if the federal government will appeal or not, which is very important,” she said. “Until all this is settled, we continue our policy.”
The city's Taxi and Limousine Commission, which oversees taxis and rental vehicles including Ubers and Lyft, said Tuesday that drivers and passengers in those vehicles will also continue to be required to wear masks.
On Tuesday, Uber said it would stop requiring masks to be worn in the United States, except in New York City. Lyft followed up with a similar announcement, but both companies said local regulations would replace their own.
