CATA, University Park Airport no longer requiring masks after federal ruling
A federal judge struck down a national mask mandate involving airplanes and public transportation Monday, meaning that Centre County’s airport and the Centre Area Transportation Authority (CATA) are also no longer requiring face masks.
It’s the first time in more than a year that local passengers do not have to wear such masks on mass transit, although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to recommend mask-wearing to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
CATA and the University Park Airport both made clear Tuesday that masks are no longer required of their passengers.
A note at the top of CATA’s website read, “Effective immediately, masking while using CATA’s services and in its Customer Service Center is now optional. Riders wishing to continue wearing masks are encouraged to do so.”
Said Penn State spokesperson Wyatt DuBois: “In alignment with yesterday’s statement from the TSA, masking is now optional for all individuals inside University Park Airport.”
American Airlines, Delta Airlines and United Airlines — whose regional branches work with the local airport — issued statements by Tuesday morning that clarified masks were no longer required on their domestic flights. Allegiant Air also announced such masks were optional.
The CDC had recently extended the mandate until May 3, to allow more time to study the new COVID subvariant. But U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle, who was appointed by former President Donald Trump, ruled Monday in Florida that the CDC overstepped its authority and did not follow proper rulemaking procedures in its initial order, putting an immediate end to the mandate.
Critics pointed out that the judge had been rated “not qualified” by the American Bar Association at the time of her confirmation in 2020. But the Justice Department declined to comment to The Associated Press when asked if it would seek an emergency stay to block the judge’s order.
“This is obviously a disappointing decision,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters. “The CDC is recommending wearing a mask on public transit.”
According to the CDC, Centre County remains in “low” transmission when it comes to COVID-19 Community Levels. There were 143 county cases between April 11-17, a marked contrast from the 317 cases between Feb. 11-17 and the 1,890 cases between Jan. 11-17.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
