Chicago Airport Mask Mandate: What You Need To Know

As of April 2022, masks are no longer required on public transport or in airports in Chicago. This follows a Florida judge's ruling that voided the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's national mask mandate on airplanes and mass public transit. However, individual airlines and airports can still impose their own mask mandates, and some, including United Airlines, are still requiring masks on domestic flights.

Chicago's top doctor initially said masks were required on public transport

In April 2022, Chicago's top doctor, Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady, said masks would continue to be required on public transportation in the city. This was despite a recent ruling that voided a federal travel mask mandate.

Speaking on Facebook Live, Dr. Arwady said that the city would continue to require masks on public transportation through at least the end of the month, citing an order from Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker. She clarified that the local order, in effect until April 30, was different from the federal mandate that was at the center of the judge's ruling.

The CDC had recently extended a federal mask mandate on public transit and in public transportation hubs until May 3, to allow more time to study the BA.2 omicron subvariant of the coronavirus, which was responsible for the majority of cases in the U.S. However, a Florida judge voided the mandate, saying that the CDC failed to justify its decision and did not follow proper rule-making procedures.

The ruling caused confusion across state lines and agencies, leaving many unsure about whether they needed to continue wearing masks on public transportation, airlines, airports, rideshares, and more. A White House administration official stated that agencies were reviewing the decision and assessing potential next steps.

Dr. Arwady emphasized that Illinois' executive order, which explicitly included a requirement for universal masking on public transit and in public transit hubs, remained in place through the end of April and might be extended.

The Chicago Department of Aviation, which administers Chicago O'Hare and Midway International Airports, planned to follow and enforce all current and future federal, state, and local health and security authorities' guidance. O'Hare and Midway Airports clarified that this included the executive order, meaning masks were still required at the airports.

However, some airlines, including United Airlines (based in Chicago), stated that the ruling meant masks were no longer required on domestic flights. This created a situation where some agencies in Chicago and Illinois were requiring masks, while others were not.

For instance, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) affirmed that "masks are still required on CTA trains and buses" and that customers would be notified if this requirement changed. Metra, on the other hand, said it was not "making any immediate changes to the mask requirement while we assess the situation." Pace also confirmed that the mask requirement remained in place.

Additionally, ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft released statements saying that masks were now optional for riders and drivers.

It remains unclear if any of the agencies not requiring masks will change their guidance based on state directives.

A Florida judge voided the CDC's national mask mandate on airplanes

On April 18, 2022, U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle voided the national mask mandate covering airplanes and other public transportation. The ruling stated that the mandate exceeded the authority of U.S. health officials and that the CDC failed to justify its decision and did not follow proper rulemaking procedures.

The CDC had recently extended the federal mask mandate on public transit and in public transportation hubs until May 3, 2022, to allow more time to study the BA.2 omicron subvariant of the coronavirus, which was responsible for the majority of cases in the U.S. at the time.

The ruling caused confusion across state lines and agencies, leaving many travellers unsure about whether they needed to continue wearing masks on public transportation, airlines, and airports.

In Chicago, the local order from Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, which was in effect until April 30, differed from the federal mandate at the centre of the judge's ruling. Chicago's top doctor said masks would remain required for public transportation in the city despite the ruling.

However, a number of airlines, including United Airlines, which is based in Chicago, stated that the ruling meant masks were no longer required on domestic flights.

The TSA said masks are not required at security lines

The TSA has said that masks are not required at security lines, but this is not a TSA rule. In fact, the TSA has said that it will not enforce its Security Directives and Emergency Amendment requiring mask use on public transportation and transportation hubs. This is because, in April 2022, a Florida judge voided the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) national mask mandate on airplanes and mass public transit. The judge said that the CDC failed to justify its decision and did not follow proper rule-making procedures.

The TSA has said that it is reviewing the decision and assessing potential next steps. In the meantime, the CDC's public transportation masking order is not in effect. However, individual states, cities, and transport companies can still impose their own mask mandates. For example, in April 2022, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) said that "masks are still required on CTA trains and buses". Similarly, Metra said that it was not "making any immediate changes to the mask requirement while we assess the situation".

The TSA has said that it remains committed to the health and security of its workforce and airline passengers. It has implemented several measures at checkpoints to enhance health and security, including social distancing, providing TSA officers with protective equipment, and allowing travellers to request new gloves to be used during screening.

The Chicago Department of Aviation said it will follow the updated order

The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) has stated that it will follow federal, state, and local guidance regarding mask mandates. In April 2022, a Florida judge voided the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) national mask mandate on airplanes and public transit, causing confusion across states and agencies.

In response, the CDA affirmed its commitment to following current and future guidance from federal, state, and local health and security authorities. This includes an executive order in Illinois that requires masks on public transportation through at least the end of April 2022. The CDA also stated that those who wish to continue wearing masks are encouraged to do so, and travellers should be kind and courteous to one another.

The decision by the Chicago Department of Aviation to follow the updated order and local guidelines highlights their dedication to ensuring the safety and well-being of travellers and staff while navigating the evolving landscape of COVID-19 regulations.

Uber and Lyft dropped their mask mandates

On April 19, 2022, Uber and Lyft dropped their mask mandates for both drivers and riders. This change came after a federal judge in Florida ruled that the CDC had overstepped its authority by requiring masks on planes and other public transportation. The CDC still recommends wearing masks on public transportation due to concerns over the Omicron subvariant BA.2.

In a statement, Uber said:

> "As of April 19, 2022, riders and drivers are not required to wear masks when using Uber. However, the CDC still recommends wearing a mask if you have certain personal risk factors and/or high transmission levels in your area."

Lyft's statement was similar, adding:

> "We know that everyone has different comfort levels, and anyone who wants to continue wearing a mask is encouraged to do so. As always, drivers or riders can decline to accept or cancel any ride they don't wish to take."

Uber also acknowledged that some people feel safer wearing a mask due to personal or family health situations, and therefore, both riders and drivers should respect each other's preferences.

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