Chatham Area Transit makes masks optional after federal judge voids travel mask mandate

Chatham Area Transit (CAT) is no longer requiring passengers to wear masks when they board its buses after a federal judge revoked the travel mask mandate on April 18, a decision that came after the Center for Disease Control (CDC) extended the requirement through May 3.

Videos and photos of airplane passengers ripping off their masks as the announcement came in flooded social media. Major airlines like Delta Airlines, United Airlines and Southwest Airlines have deemed masks optional, easing restrictions for travelers.

From USAT: Federal judge voids US mask mandate for planes, public transportation after CDC extension

Public transit systems and some ridesharing companies have followed suit. However, the ruling has been met with mixed reactions.

On April 20, the Biden administration said it will appeal the ruling after the CDC said the mandate "remains necessary for the public health."

Encouraged, but not required

While CAT is lifting the mask requirement, the agency is still encouraging passengers to wear masks as public health experts assess the recent rise in cases due to the BA.2 omicron subvariant of the coronavirus.

Early Monday morning at the CAT Joe Murray Rivers, Jr. Intermodal Transit Center, a majority of passengers still wore masks as they waited for their buses.

Faye DiMassimo, CEO/executive director of CAT, said the safety of its passengers is the priority.

More: Chatham Area Transit names new CEO with Nashville background

"Certainly people who feel most comfortable wearing masks should feel absolutely comfortable, so an environment where both the judge's order can be recognized as well as what is comfortable for our customers and so forth," DiMassimo said. "We always are going to be compliant with federal and state local laws and regulations, and so we will continue to monitor those developments."

But the encouragement to continue wearing masks may be futile. Courtney Johnson, the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1324 president, predicted about 95% of the people won't wear masks going forward.

"It was becoming a challenge anyway to have to keep reminding people to keep their mask on or to put their mask on, actually," Johnson said.

"Even out and about throughout the city, you hardly see anyone with a mask on at this point, so I think the same thing will happen on the transit buses as well. There'll be a few, for whatever reason will continue to wear their mask, but for the most part, I think that the passengers are probably happy that it is not mandated."

For CAT, the pandemic has led to driver shortages, service disruptions and modified routes. The recent developments beg the question of whether this will affect that shortage as maybe some drivers decide the risk is not worth it. But when Johnson spoke with a few CAT drivers, the majority of them were happy that the mask mandate was lifted.

More: Still waiting for a bus? Driver shortage leads to service interruptions, modified routes

More: Reduced service possible as COVID impacts Chatham Area Transit staffing

"I think they were okay with the fact that it is a plus for us and a plus for the passengers."

DiMassimo said masks will still be required in the CAT building.

Laura Nwogu is the quality of life reporter for Savannah Morning News. Contact her at LNwogu@gannett.com. Twitter: @lauranwogu_

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Chatham Area Transit ends travel mask mandate after federal overturn