TSA lifts mask mandate for airports; no masks for buses, Port Authority says

The mandate for passengers to wear masks on airplanes, in airports and on public transportion was lifted Monday as a result of a ruling by a federal judge in Florida that the Centers for Disease Control overstepped its authority in instituting a mask mandate.

The Transportation Security Administration said in a brief statement Monday night that effective immediately, it will no longer enforce its emergency amendment requiring people to wear a mask use on public transportation and transportation hubs. The mask mandates have been in effect for about two years.

BREAKING News: Due to today’s court ruling, effective immediately, @TSA will no longer enforce its Security Directives and Emergency Amendment requiring mask use on public transportation and transportation hubs. TSA's full statement is here: https://t.co/g8tlRi8baM

— Lisa Farbstein, TSA Spokesperson (@TSA_Northeast) April 19, 2022

The Port Authority of Allegheny County on Monday night said it also was lifting requirements immediately that passengers wear masks on the buses.

Due to the TSA no longer enforcing its directive following a Florida court ruling earlier today, effective immediately, we will no longer enforce mask wearing.

— Port Authority PGH (@PGHtransit) April 19, 2022

The Pittsburgh International Airport officials said the guidance means that masking is no longer required in the terminal for passengers or staff.

“TSA will no longer be enforcing the mask mandate at PIT, per their release,” said Travis McNichols, senior vice president, public safety, operations & maintenance at the airport. “As always, we follow TSA regulations and will continue to communicate with federal officials should any change occur.”

The Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in Unity will follow whatever guidelines the TSA sets for airports, said Gabe Monzo, executive director of the Westmoreland County Airport Authority, which administers Westmoreland’s airport.

A spokesman for the Westmoreland County Transit Authority could not be reached for comment Monday night.

While the judge ruled that the CDC overstepped its authority in requiring masks, the agency continues to recommend that people wear masks in indoor public transportation settings at this time.

The ruling by the federal judge in Tampa comes as the CDC extended the mask mandate for 15 days, because of the rise in covid infections resulting from a new strain of the disease, BA.2

The White House is said to be reviewing the court’s order and the Justice Department will decide if it will appeal the ruling, said Jen Psaki, White House press secretary.