Marin Transit Lifts Masks Mandate
MARIN COUNTY, CA — Marin Transit riders can finally ditch their masks, if they want to.
In the aftermath of a federal judge's ruling early this week striking down a federal mask mandate, the Marin transit agency on Wednesday announced it was following suit. But despite lifting the mandate, the agency said it still recommends that riders mask-up.
Marin Transit’s announcement follows similar moves by transit agencies throughout the country including most in the Bay Area. San Francisco’s MUNI made a similar announcement Wednesday on its social media pages.
“Effective immediately, Marin Transit will no longer require face coverings or masks for transit passengers on buses or at stops. Instead, we are now simply strongly recommending that riders wear face coverings while using transit,” Marin Transit said in a statement on its Facebook page.
On Tuesday, two additional agencies that serve Marin, announced the lifting of mask mandates. Golden Gate Bridge District confirmed the decision on its social media pages. The Marin Independent reports that SMART Trains also no longer requires facial coverings.
The widespread elimination of mask mandates throughout the country follows Monday’s decision by a federal judge to strike down the federal travel mask mandate, meaning face coverings to protect against COVID-19 are no longer required on planes, trains and, in most cases, subways and buses.
Florida federal Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle said in the 59-page decision striking down the travel mask mandate that 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.
The CDC first issued an order mandating masks on public conveyances in January 2021, saying "traveling on public transportation increases a person's risk of getting and spreading COVID-19."
The TSA said in its statement that the CDC continues to recommend face coverings to protect against the coronavirus. 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 and Lyft soon followed suit, saying masks are now optional for riders and drivers.
This article originally appeared on the San Rafael Patch
