Masks At Laguardia Airport: What's The Mandate Now?

As of April 2022, masks were still required at LaGuardia Airport. This was due to local health guidance, as per the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which governs airports, bridges, tunnels, bus terminals, and trains in the New York metro area. The mandate caused confusion for travellers, who were met with a mix of requirements and recommendations for mask-wearing while navigating public transportation.

Mask mandates at LaGuardia Airport

As of April 2022, masks are required at LaGuardia Airport in New York City. This is due to local health guidance in the state of New York, which differs from the guidance in neighbouring New Jersey.

Confusion Over Mask Mandates

A federal judge in Florida struck down the CDC's nationwide travel mask mandate, causing confusion for travellers in New York, who were unsure where and when they needed to wear masks. The White House also said it would no longer enforce the mandate while it is under review.

Different Rules for Different Airports

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which governs airports, bridges, tunnels, bus terminals, and trains in the New York metro area, said that the mask mandate remains in effect for some New York facilities, including LaGuardia Airport, because of local health guidance. However, the mandate has been lifted for some New Jersey facilities, including Newark Liberty International Airport.

Masks Required in Airports and on Public Transport

Everyone in the airport is required to continue to wear a mask as prescribed by the federal mask mandate when they are in airports, bus and rail stations, as well as while on passenger aircraft, public transportation, passenger railroads, and over-the-road buses. This means that all travellers must be wearing a mask at TSA airport screening checkpoints and throughout the airport and during their flights. If a traveller does not have a mask, a TSA officer will offer one to them at the checkpoint.

Keeping Safe at LaGuardia Airport

LaGuardia Gateway Partners, Terminal B's manager and developer, have implemented safety protocols to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Terminal B's cleaning and safety practices are accredited by the Global Biorisk Advisory Council and the Airports Council International. Contactless ordering and delivery are available through partners Grab (mobile order for pickup) and At Your Gate (delivery to your location).

Confusion over mask rules

On 18 April 2022, a federal judge in Florida struck down the CDC's nationwide travel mask mandate, deeming it an overreach. The following day, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) said it would no longer enforce the federal mask order for public transport. This led to a wave of confusion among travellers, with some airports and transport hubs continuing to enforce mask mandates, while others did not.

LaGuardia Airport

LaGuardia Airport, along with JFK International Airport, Stewart International Airport, and the World Trade Center Oculus Transportation Hub, continued to enforce mask mandates due to local health guidance. This was despite airlines, including United, Delta, and American, relaxing their policies for customers and crews. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which governs the airports, said it would "continue to follow the guidance of the New York and New Jersey public health authorities with respect to mask mandates".

Conflicting Rules

The varying rules between states and even within transit hubs in the same state caused confusion for travellers. For example, in New York, masks were required at LaGuardia Airport, but not at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey. This meant that commuters could be taking their masks on and off on different modes of transportation during their journey.

Traveller Reactions

Travellers expressed their confusion and frustration with the inconsistent mask rules. Some felt it was hard to keep up with the different regulations, especially when travelling between states. Others commented on the divide between political views in the U.S., with some states quickly dropping mask mandates while others retained them.

Moving Forward

It remains to be seen whether a unified approach to mask mandates will be reinstated across transit hubs in the U.S. In the meantime, travellers are advised to stay updated with the latest guidelines and respect the rules of the airports and transport systems they are using.

LaGuardia Airport's safety protocols

LaGuardia Airport has implemented several safety protocols to ensure the well-being of its passengers and staff. Here are the key measures in place:

Mask Mandate

As of April 2022, LaGuardia Airport, along with other major transport hubs in New York, mandates that all individuals within the airport premises must wear face masks or coverings. This is in accordance with the local health guidance provided by the New York and New Jersey public health authorities.

Enhanced Cleaning and Safety Practices

LaGuardia Gateway Partners, the manager and developer of Terminal B, have implemented rigorous cleaning and safety practices to prevent the spread of COVID-19. These practices are accredited by the Global Biorisk Advisory Council and the Airports Council International. Passengers and employees are reminded to adhere to these protocols while navigating the airport during the pandemic.

Contactless Services

To reduce physical contact, LaGuardia Airport offers contactless ordering and delivery services through their partners Grab (for mobile order pickup) and At Your Gate (for delivery to your location within the airport).

Hand Hygiene

Passengers and staff are encouraged to practice proper hand hygiene by washing their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are unavailable, the use of hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol is recommended. Hand sanitizer and wipes are available for purchase throughout the airport terminals.

Social Distancing

LaGuardia Airport enforces social distancing guidelines, advising individuals to maintain a distance of at least 6 feet (2 meters) from one another whenever possible.

TSA PreCheck®

For a more seamless and expedited screening process, individuals who are frequently travelling can enrol in the TSA PreCheck® program. This program allows travellers to keep their shoes, jackets, and belts on while also permitting electronics and standard-sized liquid containers in their carry-on bags.

Security Screening Process

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has adapted to the "new normal" at checkpoints. TSA officers wear masks, gloves, and face shields, and they are positioned behind acrylic barriers to reduce cross-contamination. They change their gloves between each pat-down and bag search, and fresh swabs are used for each passenger when testing for explosive materials.

Carry-On Bag Restrictions

To reduce touchpoints and the likelihood of a carry-on bag search, travellers are advised to start with an empty bag and only pack permitted items. Prohibited items, such as oversized liquids, will be removed during security screening.

Additional Recommendations

Passengers are encouraged to arrive at the airport terminal at least two hours before their scheduled flight to allow sufficient time for security screening. They should also bring only the necessary items and be aware of the items allowed in carry-on and checked bags to streamline the screening process.

The impact of varying mask rules

The impact of the varying mask rules at LaGuardia Airport and across New York City has been significant, causing confusion and frustration among travellers and commuters. The rules regarding mask mandates have been subject to constant changes, with some airports and transportation hubs requiring masks while others make them optional. This has left people unsure about where and when they need to wear masks.

LaGuardia Airport, one of the busiest airports in the United States, has been particularly affected by the varying mask rules. On one hand, LaGuardia and other New York airports such as JFK International Airport and New York Stewart International Airport maintained their mask mandates due to local health guidance. On the other hand, nearby airports like Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey removed their mask requirements after the state lifted its mandate. This discrepancy between neighbouring states and transportation hubs has been a source of "mass confusion" for travellers, who find themselves subjected to different rules depending on their point of departure or arrival.

The impact of these varying rules is felt not only at the airports but also across the wider transportation network. For example, commuters travelling to LaGuardia Airport from New Jersey may encounter three different mask rule changes during their journey, including on trains and subways. This inconsistency has led to a situation where individuals are forced to constantly adjust their behaviour depending on their location. The situation is further complicated by the fact that some airlines and flight crews have relaxed their mask policies, while others still require them, adding to the overall uncertainty.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which governs airports and transit hubs in the region, has stated that it will continue to follow the guidance of local public health authorities regarding mask mandates. However, the varying rules between New York and New Jersey have been a source of frustration for many. Some travellers have expressed a desire for consistency, suggesting that neighbouring states should be "on the same page" to make it easier for those who commute between the two states for work or other purposes.

The impact of the varying mask rules has also highlighted the ongoing debate around COVID-19 safety measures and personal freedom. While some individuals welcome the removal of mask mandates, others feel that they should remain in place for health and safety reasons. This discrepancy in opinions further complicates the situation, as people navigate not only the varying rules but also the differing attitudes and behaviours of those around them.

The future of mask mandates

As of April 2022, masks were still required at LaGuardia Airport in New York, along with other major transport hubs in the state, including JFK Airport, the Port Authority Bus Terminal, New York Stewart International Airport, and the World Trade Center Oculus Transportation Hub. This was due to local health guidance, with the Port Authority stating that it would "continue to follow the guidance of the New York and New Jersey public health authorities with respect to mask mandates".

The future of these mandates is uncertain, and it is difficult to predict exactly when and how they will be lifted. However, there are a few factors that may influence the decision:

• Public health guidance: The mandates are currently in place due to local health guidance, so any changes in this guidance could result in the mandates being lifted. For example, if COVID-19 cases decrease or the public health risk is deemed to be low, the guidance may change, and the mandates could be lifted.
• Federal rulings: In April 2022, a federal judge in Florida struck down the CDC's nationwide travel mask mandate, calling it an overreach. This resulted in a cascade of confusing commands about mask-wearing on public transportation, with some states and transport hubs choosing to lift mandates while others, like New York, kept them in place. Any future federal rulings or guidance could further impact the mask mandates at LaGuardia and other transport hubs.
• Airline policies: Major US airlines such as American, Delta, JetBlue, and United removed their own face mask mandates after the federal ruling. If more airlines follow suit and choose to relax their policies, it could influence the decision to lift mandates at airports.
• Passenger volume: The volume of passengers travelling through airports has been increasing since the start of the pandemic. LaGuardia Airport, for example, was screening about 50,000 travellers on a busy summer day in 2019 and is now screening closer to 26,000 travellers per day. As passenger volume continues to increase, the need for mask mandates may be reassessed.
• Leisure travellers: It has been noted that there are fewer business travellers and an increase in leisure travellers, who may be less familiar with security checkpoint protocols. This could impact the decision to maintain or lift mask mandates, as educating travellers on security protocols may become a priority.

It is important to note that the situation is fluid and ever-changing, and it is challenging to predict the exact future of mask mandates. However, by paying attention to factors such as public health guidance, federal rulings, airline policies, passenger volume, and traveller demographics, we can gain some insight into the potential direction of these mandates.

Frequently asked questions