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The Transportation Security Administration will stop enforcing the national public transportation mask mandate for the time being. The decision was made on Monday after a federal judge effectively canceled the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's travel rules that have been in effect since the start of the pandemic.
A Biden administration official said in a statement, "The agencies are reviewing the decision and assessing potential next steps. In the meantime, today's court decision means CDC's public transportation masking order is not in effect at this time." The statement continued, "Therefore, TSA will not enforce its Security Directives and Emergency Amendment requiring mask use on public transportation and transportation hubs at this time. CDC recommends that people continue to wear masks in indoor public transportation settings."
What does this mean if you are traveling soon?
Major airlines like Delta, United, Southwest, JetBlue, Alaska, and American have already released statements regarding relaxing mask rules on-board planes. In a memo to its employees, United said, "This means that you are no longer required to wear a mask -- and no longer have to enforce a mask requirement for most of the flying public." Airports are expected to act on the new rules in the next 24 to 48 hours. The Association of Flight Attendants urged patience during the transition.
As far as other forms of transportation, the decision to drop mask requirements will be on a case-by-case basis. New York's MTA and Amtrak said they are still enforcing masking rules for the time being.
Here's some additional information about how LAX will handle this new ruling on masks.