WASHINGTON — Amtrak will continue to welcome mask use in stations and aboard trains but will not require it following a Monday ruling by a Florida judge striking down the federal mask mandate. But some public transit agencies indicated they would leave their mask rule in place, at least temporarily.
The government had just extended the mask rule for trains, airplanes, public transit, and other forms of transportation by 15 days, but U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle struck down the rule Monday, terming it “unlawful.” NPR reports the Transportation Security Administration will no longer enforce the rule while government agencies are reviewing Monday’s ruling “and assessing potential next steps.”
Amtrak noted the mask rule had been lifted in a Monday statement, while continuing to invite the use of face coverings.
“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,” the statement reads. “Anyone needing or choosing to wear one is encouraged to do so.”
New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority will continue its mask requirement, WNYW-TV reports. An MTA spokesman cited a March ruling by the New York State Department of Health as the reason the agency will continue to require masks.
Other agencies which indicated they would continue to require masks, at least in the short term, include Metra and the Chicago Transit Authority; and TriMet of Portland, Ore. NJ Transit initially said it would continue to require masks, but Gov. Phil Murphy said he was lifting the requirement. Some other agencies said they were seeking further information before determining the status of their mask policies.
— Updated at 7:15 a.m. CDT to reflect end of mask requirement on NJ Transit.
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