Masks Now Optional At MSP Airport, On Metro Transit Buses And Trains

MINNEAPOLIS — Following a federal judge's decision to strike down the nationwide mask mandate on Monday, Metro Transit and the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport said they will no longer require face coverings.

"As of April 18, 2022, the federal order requiring masks on transit is no longer in effect," Metro Transit now states on its website.

The Metropolitan Airports Commission announced that "effective immediately, wearing masks will be optional after the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) issued guidance that it will no longer enforce mask-related regulations and will be withdrawing security directives that required face masks at airports, on aircraft and other forms of public transportation."

Both agencies noted that the Center for Diseases Control and Prevention continues to recommend that masks be worn in indoor public transportation settings. However, the White House has acknowledged the mask order "is not in effect at this time."

Under Monday's ruling from U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle in Tampa, individual airports, airlines, and other entities still have the option to enforce their own mask rules.

Mizelle said the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention overstepped its authority in issuing the nationwide mandate and didn't follow proper rulemaking procedures in crafting it.

American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, JetBlue Airways, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Alaska Airlines have already announced they were ending their mask requirement.

Reporting from the Associated Press was used in this story