BART, Muni, Caltrain, VTA, AC Transit All Drop Mask Rules
By Eli Walsh Bay City News Foundation
California will no longer require masks on public transit and at transit hubs like bus stops and airports following the federal mask mandate for transit being struck down this week.
What’s the latest?
SF’s Muni including taxis and paratransit (effective 12:01am on 4/21) Caltrain, VTA and AC Transit have all removed mask rules. BART has also removed their mask rules, but will consider a proposal at their 4/28 board meeting to require masks.
California Department of Public Health Director and state Public Health Officer Dr. Tomas Aragon said in a statement Wednesday that the state has modified its masking guidance to align with that of federal health officials.
“Going forward, California will strongly recommend masks on all public transportation and in transit hubs, including bus and train stations, ferry terminals and airports,” Aragon said. “These crowded settings should be considered high risk and may often not have adequate ventilation, an additional layer of protection against the virus.”
Following guidance from @CAPublicHealth, @SF_DPH, and the @FTA_DOT, effective at midnight, tonight, masks are recommended but no longer required in any SFMTA facilities or #SFMuni vehicles. This also includes paratransit and taxis. 1/5
— SFMTA (@sfmta_muni) April 20, 2022
There are no longer any federal, state, or local directives enabling a mask mandate at BART. The state just terminated their order.
Masks are now optional/strongly encouraged on BART.
However, our Board will consider a proposal to REQUIRE MASKS on BART at their 4/28 meeting.
— BART (@SFBART) April 20, 2022
Masks will be voluntary on AC Transit buses as of 12:00am on April 20th. AC Transit, CDC and TSA still strongly recommend masks on transit.
Masks and hand sanitizer will still be available on-board AC Transit buses.
Learn more here: https://t.co/ANHVX3ImId pic.twitter.com/tmgiOVbILA
— AC Transit (@rideact) April 20, 2022
Following Federal and State direction Caltrain recommends but no longer requires the use of masks. We will continue to monitor any future federal, state or local directives.
While masks are no longer required, guests can and are strongly encouraged to continue wearing them. https://t.co/T8XHtjbSly
— Caltrain (@Caltrain) April 20, 2022
VTA recommends, but no longer requires, face coverings on board transit vehicles.
— VTA (@VTA) April 20, 2022
Transit agencies across the state have scrambled this week to determine their immediate masking policies after a U.S. district court judge on Monday struck down the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s mask requirement for public transit and airplanes.
The CDC had previously announced an extension of the mandate through May 3 to allow more time to study the omicron subvariant BA.2, which now comprises more than 85 percent of COVID-19 cases in the U.S.
Federal officials have said they are considering appealing the district court judge’s ruling, but have yet to announce a formal decision.
Aragon noted in his statement that high-quality masks continue to be an effective method of preventing the spread and contraction of COVID. “We continue to monitor federal action on this issue and will announce any additional changes to state policies as needed,” he said.
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