Do you still need a mask on the plane? Which airlines, airports, transit agents, ride-hailing stocks have removed the mandatory mask

The ruling gives airports, public transit systems, airlines and ride-hailing services the choice to keep the rules hidden or to omit them altogether, resulting in rules that vary by city and city. shipping method.

For example, passengers on a United Airlines flight from Houston to Kennedy Airport can remove a mask at the departure airport and on board, but must wear it back when landing in New York or riding the subway.

MORE: Some cheer, others fear as airlines drop mask regulations as federal judge overturns CDC mandate

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently extended the mandate until May 3 to allow more time to study the coronavirus subvariable omicron BA.2 that is now responsible for the majority of cases in USA. But the court’s decision brought the trust to a halt.

Here’s how US transit hubs and providers are responding:

Airlines

Major airlines were some of the first to update their regulations following the court decision. United, Southwest, American, Alaska, Delta and JetBlue have announced that, effective immediately, masks will no longer be required on domestic flights.

“While this means our employees are no longer required to wear masks – and no longer have to enforce the 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 United Airlines says strongly recommend wearing a mask when traveling in public.

The Association of Flight Attendants, the nation’s largest flight attendants association, recently took a neutral stance on the masking rule because its members are divided on the issue. On Monday, the union president called for calm on planes and airports.

Alaska Airlines said some passengers banned for violating its mask policy will remain banned.

MORE: Uber no longer requires masks for drivers and passengers, company says

Airport

Airports are not quick to remove masks, with some expressing uncertainty about the ruling and taking a wait-and-see approach.

But others, including Houston’s two main airports, scrapped mask requirements shortly after the Transportation Security Administration said it would no longer enforce mask regulations. Los Angeles International and Phoenix Sky Harbor also removed their mask requirements. San Francisco International Airport said it was awaiting further instructions from the TSA.

New York City’s airports appear to be up to the task.

Trains and buses

Regulations for train and bus passengers vary by city and transit agency.

In New York, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s communications director, Tim Minton, said the system is maintaining a mask rule, meaning face coverings are still required on subways, buses and routes. irons, as they have since the beginning of the pandemic.

But the regional train system serving the Washington, DC area, said Monday that masks will be optional for its customers and employees going forward.

“Our mask mandate is based on federal guidance,” said Paul J. Wiedefeld, Superintendent and CEO of the Washington Metropolitan Transportation Authority. “We will continue to monitor this situation as it unfolds, but masks will be optional on Metro properties until further notice.”

Amtrak also says it’s making masks optional.

Share the ride

Ride-sharing company Uber is no longer requiring masks for riders and drivers, the company announced Tuesday.

“Rivers and drivers are not required to wear a mask when using Uber. However, the CDC still recommends wearing a mask if you have certain personal risk factors and/or high levels of transmission. in its region,” Uber wrote on its website.

Lyft’s website as of Tuesday morning still said masks were required.