The mask mandate is lifted. Here's what to expect at Phoenix-area airports

One day after a federal judge in Florida ended the mask mandate on airplanes and other public transportation across the United States, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport are following suit and have removed the mask mandate inside their respective terminals.

The mask mandate, announced in January 2021, had been set to expire on April 18. But the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced last week that it would keep it in place until May 3.

The ruling by Judge Kathryn Mizelle ended the mandate two weeks earlier than its revised expiration date. Airlines including Southwest, United, American, Delta, Allegiant and Alaska have dropped their face mask requirements and, for the first time in two years, passengers boarded flights unmasked starting Monday evening.

Here's what to expect if you're flying through Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport or Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport now that the mask mandate has been lifted.

More: Mask mandate for planes, airports has ended. Here's what travelers should know

Do I have to wear a mask at Sky Harbor?

Face coverings are no longer required at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

"In accordance with the Transportation Security Administration no longer enforcing the federal mask mandate, face masks will no longer be required for employees and customers at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

"The CDC continues to recommend wearing masks in indoor public transportation settings. Masks will continue to be available in Airport vending machines and free of charge at Airport information counters," Heather Shelbrack, the airport's communications and outreach administrator, said in an emailed statement Monday evening.

Electronic messages about wearing masks that were posted on flight information displays and other screens throughout the airport have been removed, said Greg Roybal, public information officer at Sky Harbor.

Airport workers are removing signs that prompt people to wear masks, and audio announcements about mask-wearing have been discontinued.

More: How to use Sky Harbor Airport's skip-the-line TSA reservation system

Do I have to wear a mask at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway?

Signs and announcements regarding mask-wearing have been removed at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport in east Mesa.

“Masks are still available for anyone that wishes to wear one and needs one and the airport will continue our extra air filtration, sanitization practices and encouraging travelers to spread out,” said Ryan Smith, director of communications and government relations at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport.

Smith said the reactions of passengers and staff to the sudden lifting of the mandate have been mixed.

“Some are relieved to not have to wear the masks and there’s a handful that continue to wear them throughout the terminal area,” Smith said.

Allegiant Air, the main passenger airline at the airport, tweeted on April 19 about the end of the mandate.

The tweet said: "Consistent with TSA guidance, all Allegiant customers and team members may wear a mask if they choose to, but are no longer required while traveling with us."

More: New service dog rules are confusing. An Arizona mom flying Allegiant learned the hard way

You can connect with Arizona Republic Culture and Outdoors Reporter Shanti Lerner through email at shanti.lerner@gannett.com or you can also follow her on Twitter.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Mask mandate lifted: What Phoenix-area airports are doing