Iowa City, Cedar Rapids drop mask mandates for public transit

Public transit in Iowa City and Cedar Rapids will no longer require passengers to wear masks following a federal court ruling that struck down the mask mandate for people using public transportation.

Coralville Transit also lifted its mask mandates for public transit following the court ruling and statement from the Transportation Security Administration.

A federal judge in Florida on Monday struck down the national mask mandate for public transportation, including airline and transit systems. The ruling allows public transportation systems to decide whether or not to keep the mask mandate, resulting in rules that vary by city and mode of transportation.

The mask mandate was set to expire earlier this week, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention extended the order until May 3 for more time to study the BA.2 omicron subvariant that is now responsible for the vast majority of cases in the U.S.

The Transportation Security Administration released a statement following the ruling saying that TSA will no longer enforce the mask requirement.

Transit users in Iowa City are no longer required to wear a mask on public transit vehicles or at transit stops, the city announced Tuesday.

Coralville transit users are also no longer required to wear masks on public transit vehicles, at transit stops or in the Coralville Transit Intermodal Facility. The city said masks will remain available on public transit vehicles.

Both cities mentioned in their announcements how the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the use of masks when using indoor public transportation, especially for people who feel sick or might be infected with COVID-19.

Johnson County SEATS and paratransit users are also no longer required to wear a mask on public transit vehicles or at transit stops.

Marissa Payne of The Gazette contributed to this report

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