UTA, Salt Lake International Airport drop mask requirement
Apr 19, 2022, 7:19 AM | Updated: 8:20 am
UTA Trax train stops at the North Temple Bridge/Guadalupe Station in Salt Lake City on Thursday, March 10, 2022. Photo credit: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News.
SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Transit Authority says the agency has dropped its mask mandate for bus and train travelers.
The decision comes after a federal judge ruled Monday that the mask mandate was unlawful. The Biden Administration is currently reviewing that ruling.
In a statement to KSL NewsRadio, UTA spokeswoman Andrea Packer said the agency will no longer enforce the mask requirement.
“Following the federal court ruling yesterday, the TSA announced it will no longer enforce the mask requirement on public transit,” Packer said.
“As a result, UTA is no longer requiring masks to be worn on our system, effective immediately.”
On Monday, the Salt Lake International Airport used Twitter to make the same announcement.
SLC International is aware of the changes to enforce the mask mandate. The Airport will continue to provide masks to those requesting them and suggests passengers continue to wear masks as recommended by the CDC.
— SaltLakeCityAirport (@slcairport) April 19, 2022
Packer said that the UTA was originally waiting for a response from the CDC before making a decision about masks. But when the TSA announced on Monday that it would no longer enforce the mask mandate on public transportation and at transportation hubs, the UTA followed suit.
Despite ending the mask requirement, the UTA will still provide masks for those who want them.
Major Airlines including Delta, United, Southwest, and Alaska Airlines have announced masks are now optional for travelers.
Related reading:
- CDC to extend federal travel mask mandate
- Request to block public transportation mask mandate rejected by Justice Clarence Thomas
