Transit Mask Mandate Struck Down: What It Means For SEPTA Riders

PENNSYLVANIA — A federal judge struck down the federal travel mask mandate Monday, meaning face coverings to protect against COVID-19 are no longer required on planes, trains and, in most cases, subways, and buses. However, local mandates in places like Philadelphia mean that certain exceptions still apply.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention both exceeded its legal authority and failed to go through proper channels to put the rule in place, Florida federal Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle ruled in the 59-page decision.

Philadelphia extended its mask mandate, the first city to do so in response. A group of local residents and businesses immediately filed a lawsuit to throw out the mask mandate on Monday. Philadelphia's extended mandate means that masks will still be required at the Philadelphia International Airport.

"In accordance with the @PhiladelphiaGov’s indoor mask requirements, masks must be worn inside #PHLAirport’s terminals," the airport reminded travelers through a social media post Monday night.

SEPTA has dropped its mask mandate for both riders and employees on transit, but all SEPTA employees working inside SEPTA offices, districts and shops within Philadelphia must continue to wear masks.

RELATED: SEPTA Drops Mask Mandate

But overnight, the scene at many other airports cross the country changed dramatically. Effective Tuesday, the Transportation Security Administration was no longer requiring masks on planes or in the nation’s airports. One by one, most of the nation’s major airlines dropped mask requirements, making the face coverings optional for employees and passengers.

The CDC said it “continues to recommend that people wear masks in indoor public transportation settings at this time.” The TSA seconded this. Amtrak issued a stronger statement, saying that although they are no longer required of passengers and employees, “masks are welcome and remain an important preventive measure against COVID-19.”

The Florida decision also affects ride-hailing companies. Uber no longer requires masks as of Tuesday, but as of Tuesday morning, Lyft still required masks, even for vaccinated passengers and customers.

Still, some state and local transit agencies could keep their mask requirements. Last week, the CDC had extended the now suspended mask rule to study the worrisome BA.2. variant of the coronavirus, which is responsible for most of the COVID-19 cases around the country.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority in New York City said Monday it would keep its mask mandate in place on the bus, subway and rail systems it oversees, The New York Times reported.

The case before Mizelle, appointed to the federal bench by former President Donald Trump in November 2020 after he lost the presidential election, was filed in July 2021 by two plaintiffs and the Health Freedom Defense Fund.

“The court concludes that the mask mandate exceeds the CDC's statutory authority and violates the procedures required for agency rulemaking under the APA,” the judge wrote.

It’s unclear if the Biden administration will appeal the decision. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters Monday that Mizelle’s decision was “disappointing,” and the administration’s response is still under review and the “Department of Justice would make any determination about litigation.”