Mask mandate removal relieves UND, local airport leaders
Apr. 19—GRAND FORKS — The dropping of a federal mask mandate for public transportation, including in airports and on aircraft, have officials at local airports, as well as UND's school of aviation feeling a sense of relief.
A federal judge in Florida ruled that the requirement to wear masks on public transportation was unlawful, Reuters reported on Monday, April 18. Nationally, airlines welcomed the news that passengers and staff no longer have to wear masks. Locally, airport executives and an aviation administrator at UND expressed much the same, as did Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D.
"As of this morning, we are no longer requiring masks while at the UND Aerospace facilities at the airport or while flying," said Robert Kraus, dean of the John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences, on Tuesday morning, April 19.
Kraus said dropping the mandate brings UND Aerospace in line with UND policy on masking, and most people feel grateful not to not have to wear them. The university took a graduated approach to loosening mask restrictions on campus. Generally, masks are being recommended but no longer required, outside of student health services and COVID testing locations. Certain clinical programs that put students or faculty in contact with patients may also require masks.
"In general, people are relieved to relax the restrictions," Kraus said.
Kraus said students and instructors still have the option to wear masks if they choose, and some have done so "whether they are vulnerable or just feeling under the weather." People who feel sick are still being encouraged to stay home, which Kraus said is always the case with flying.
Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., has frequently supported ending mask mandates, including the transportation requirement, which he voted to strike down on March 15, according to a release issued at that time. On Monday, he took to social media to herald the dropping of the mandate, calling it "good news for travelers."
"Today a federal court ruled the mask rule is federal overreach and struck down the mandate," he said.
Grand Forks International Airport Executive Director Ryan Riesinger also welcomed the ruling striking down the mandate. Tuesday morning he told the Herald that airport staff are removing signage informing passengers of the requirement. He said he received official word from the U.S. Transportation Security Administration that agents would not be enforcing the mandate on Monday evening.
"Generally speaking, I think I agree that it's a relief to not need or be required to wear the mask," Riesinger said.
Like for UND student pilots and instructors, passengers at GFK can voluntarily choose to wear masks if they wish, Riesinger said, though airlines can choose to continue requiring passengers to wear them as a matter of policy. Delta and Allegiant Air, which serve Grand Forks, have both declined to enforce a company-wide mandate.
Along with other airline executives, Delta CEO Ed Bastian sent a letter to President Joe Biden in mid-March urging him to remove the transportation mask mandate. On Monday evening, Delta issued a statement on its website expressing relief the requirement would no longer be enforced.
"Effective immediately, masks are optional for all airport employees, crew members and customers inside U.S. airports and on board all aircraft domestically, as well as on most international flights," reads a portion of the statement.
Delta cautioned international travelers that some countries may still have mask requirements in place.
Joe Hedrick, airport manager in Thief River Falls, said the mask requirement was no longer being enforced at the city's regional airport, and like others, said he was relieved that it was gone. The airport is served by Denver Air Connection, with regular service to the Twin Cities.
