Are masks required for subways, trains, airports in New York? What to know

New York is maintaining its mask requirements for those using public transportation on the ground, even as the rules have changed in the air and for some private travel businesses.

A decision by a federal judge in Florida to throw out a national mask mandate for public transportation across the U.S. created a confusing patchwork of rules for passengers as they navigate airports and transit systems.

The ruling gives airports, mass transit systems, airlines and ride-hailing services the option to keep mask rules or ditch them entirely, resulting in rules that vary by city and mode of transportation.

In New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul Tuesday morning stated the Metropolitan Transportation Authority would continue to require masks, in recognition of the latest state Department of Health guidance and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations.

And, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said it will follow local guidance.

That’s created a situation in which travelers on a flight into New York from a place such as Houston could ditch their masks at their departing airport and on the plane, but have to put them back on once they land in New York or take a subway.

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The CDC had recently extended the mask mandate until May 3 to allow more time to study the BA.2 omicron subvariant of the coronavirus now responsible for the vast majority of U.S. cases.

In a 59-page lawsuit ruling, U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle in Tampa said the CDC overstepped its authority in issuing the original health order on which the Transportation Security Administration directive was based. She also said the order was fatally flawed because the CDC didn’t follow proper rulemaking procedures.

Mizelle, an appointee of former President Donald Trump, said the only remedy was to throw out the mandate for the entire country because it would be impossible to end it only for the people who objected in the lawsuit.

The White House said the mask order “is not in effect at this time” and called the court decision disappointing. The Justice Department declined to comment on whether it would seek an emergency stay to block the judge’s order. The CDC also declined to comment.

Here’s a look at how U.S. transportation centers and providers are responding:

Airlines

Major airlines were some of the first to update their rules after the court decision and after the TSA said it would no longer be enforcing mask use. United, Southwest, American, Alaska, Delta and JetBlue announced that, effective immediately, masks would no longer be required on domestic flights.

“While this means that our employees are no longer required to wear a mask — and no longer have to enforce a mask requirement for most of the flying public — they will be able to wear masks if they choose to do so, as the CDC continues to strongly recommend wearing a mask on public transit,” United Airlines said.

The Association of Flight Attendants, the nation’s largest union of cabin crews, has recently taken a neutral position on the mask rule because its members are divided about the issue. On Monday, the union’s president appealed for calm on planes and in airports.

Alaska Airlines said some passengers who were banned for violating the mask policy will remain banned.

Several airlines noted that some destinations, particularly abroad, may still require face masking up.

Airports

Airports weren’t as fast to do away with masks, with several expressing uncertainty about the ruling and taking a wait-and-see approach.

But others, including the two main airports in Houston, did away with mask requirements. Los Angeles International and Phoenix Sky Harbor also eliminated their mask requirements. San Francisco International Airport said it was waiting for further guidance from TSA.

Masks are still required at Stewart, JFK, LaGuardia airports, according to the Port Authority.

“The Port Authority will continue to follow the guidance of the New York and New Jersey public health authorities with respect to mask mandates at its public transportation facilities.”

The Port Authority lifted the requirement at Newark and Teterboro airports.

Westchester County Airport did not update guidance on its website as of Tuesday afternoon, but said passengers “should be masked all the time.”

Trains and buses

The rules for train and bus passengers vary by city and transit agency.

In New York, MTA communications director Tim Minton said the system was keeping the mask mandate, meaning face coverings are still required on the subway, buses and commuter rail lines, as they have since early in the pandemic.

The PATH System in New Jersey will also keep masks, according to the Port Authority.

But, Amtrak is making masks optional, as is the regional train system serving the Washington, D.C., area.

"While Amtrak passengers and employees are no longer required to wear masks while on board trains or in stations, masks are welcome and remain an important preventive measure against COVID-19," Amtrak said in a statement. "Anyone needing or choosing to wear one is encouraged to do so."

Coach USA, Megabus and Greyhound are no longer requiring face masks for passengers or employees.

"The CDC still recommends wearing a mask while on public transit and we encourage customers to make the choice that makes sense for them," Coach USA and Megabus Vice President Colin Emberson said in a statement. "Please be mindful that masks may still be required while traveling through the bus stations we serve."

Greyhound still required face masks as of Monday evening but in a statement via communications specialist Crystal Booker Tuesday, the company said: "In accordance with the Transportation Security Administration no longer enforcing the federal face mask mandate, face masks on all our buses and facilities is optional with the following exceptions: Face masks are required on cross border trips into Canada and Mexico until Canada and Mexico remove their requirements. Face masks will still be required if mandated by local municipalities."

Ride sharing

Masks are now optional for both riders and drivers on Uber and Lyft.

"Remember: many people still feel safer wearing a mask because of personal or family health situations, so please be respectful of their preferences," Uber posted on its website. "And if you ever feel uncomfortable, you can always cancel the trip."

Uber also noted that the CDC still recommends wearing face masks.

"Anyone who wants to continue wearing a mask is encouraged to do so," Lyft said in a statement. "As always, drivers or riders can decline to accept or cancel any ride they don’t wish to take."

USA TODAY Network writer Eve Chen and the Associated Press contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Poughkeepsie Journal: Mask rules for New York travel changes; MTA continues mandate