Transport industry adjusts to mask mandate repeal

Some passengers on a Delta flight in New York cheered as a flight attendant announced that face coverings were no longer mandatory Monday following a federal judge’s decision that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention overstepped its authority. JetBlue, United, Alaska, and Southwest Airlines are among the carriers joining Delta in letting passengers choose whether to wear a mask. Amtrak, Greyhound bus line, and ride-sharing services Lyft and Uber have also announced that masks are now optional. But the Chicago Transit Authority said it will still require masks, leaving many commuters confused about when and where the rule applies.

What is the government’s response? The Justice Department said Tuesday it would only appeal the judge’s ruling if the CDC decided the face coverings were still necessary on public transportation. The mask mandate will stay on hold until the agency finishes its ongoing assessment. Passengers on planes had mixed reactions to the removal of the mandate, with some tossing masks and others expressing concern for children too young to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Dig deeper: Read Steve West’s report in Liberties about a religious liberty challenge to mask mandates in Catholic schools.