Lambert Airport: Masks Mandatory Or Optional?

As of April 19, 2022, masks are no longer required at St. Louis Lambert International Airport. This decision was made following a ruling by a federal judge in Florida, which overturned the national mask mandate for public transportation. While the airport no longer enforces mask-wearing, it is still recommended by the CDC, and passengers are advised to check with their airlines and destinations for any specific rules. Prior to this ruling, masks were required at the airport, and some airlines, such as Frontier Airlines, also implemented temperature checks for passengers.

Face masks were required on some airlines operating at Lambert Airport in 2020

In 2020, face masks were required on some airlines operating at Lambert Airport. This was part of an effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Airlines such as Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, and United Airlines required passengers to wear face masks or coverings. These mandates were often extended beyond the aircraft to include areas such as the check-in lobby, boarding gate areas, jet bridges, and even encouraged in high-traffic areas like security lines and restrooms.

Additionally, some airlines implemented temperature checks for travellers before boarding. Plexiglas barriers were also installed at ticket counters and concession areas in the airport. These measures were in line with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

While face masks were not initially required at the airport itself, they were encouraged, and social distancing was advised. The airport's website also emphasised that no one should board a flight if they were feeling unwell, to prevent potentially putting others at risk.

Lambert Airport extended its mask mandate until April 18, 2022

As of April 19, 2022, masks are no longer required at Lambert Airport. However, this was not always the case.

The extension of the mask mandate at Lambert Airport until mid-April 2022 caused mixed reactions among travellers. Some supported the decision, stating that wearing masks helps save people and makes others safer. Others questioned the effectiveness of extending the mandate, arguing that it might not accomplish much in terms of additional protection.

On April 18, 2022, a federal judge in Florida threw out the national mask mandate for public transportation, giving airports, airlines, and other transportation providers the option to require masks or not. Following this ruling, Lambert Airport announced on April 19, 2022, that it would no longer enforce a mask mandate for passengers, visitors, or employees. While masks are no longer required, Lambert Airport noted that the CDC continues to recommend masks in indoor public transportation settings, and individuals can choose to wear them if they prefer.

The TSA stopped enforcing the federal mask mandate at Lambert Airport in April 2022

On April 19, 2022, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) stopped enforcing the federal mask mandate at St. Louis Lambert International Airport, in accordance with a federal judge's ruling in Florida that voided the TSA's mask rules for airports and public transit. This decision meant that masks were no longer required for passengers, visitors, or employees at the airport. However, the CDC continued to recommend mask-wearing in indoor public transportation settings, and passengers were advised to check with their airlines and destinations for any remaining mask rules.

Prior to this ruling, several measures had been implemented at the airport to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Many airlines required customers to wear face masks while onboard and at gate areas, and Plexiglas had been installed at ticket counters and concession areas. TSA employees were also required to wear masks, and passengers were allowed to bring hand sanitizer in carry-on bags.

The end of the TSA's enforcement of the federal mask mandate at Lambert Airport in April 2022 caused confusion for passengers, as rules varied by city and mode of transportation. While masks were no longer required at the airport, some airlines and transit systems may have continued to enforce their own mask rules. The CDC also continued to recommend mask-wearing in indoor public transportation settings, and individuals could choose to wear masks voluntarily.

The ruling by the federal judge in Florida that voided the TSA's mask mandate was specific to airports and public transit. It is important to note that mask requirements and recommendations may vary depending on local regulations and the ongoing public health situation. As of May 2022, TSA employees were required to wear masks, and passengers were encouraged to wear them while visiting St. Louis Lambert International Airport.

The CDC continues to recommend masks in indoor public transportation settings

As of April 19, 2022, St. Louis Lambert International Airport is no longer enforcing a face mask mandate for passengers, visitors, or employees. This decision was made following a ruling by a federal judge in Florida, which overturned a national mask mandate for public transportation across the US. The ruling has resulted in varying mask policies across different cities and modes of transportation.

While Lambert Airport no longer requires masks to be worn, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to recommend that people wear masks in indoor public transportation settings. This includes airports, and the CDC website offers guidance on how travellers can protect themselves from illness. Ultimately, the decision to wear a mask in indoor public transportation settings is now a personal choice.

Prior to this ruling, Lambert Airport did enforce a mask mandate. In March 2022, the airport extended its mask mandate until April 18, 2022, to allow the CDC time to work with the government and decide whether masks should continue to be required on planes, based on COVID-19 conditions in the area.

In addition to the CDC's recommendations, travellers should be aware that individual airlines may still have their own mask requirements in place. Therefore, it is important to check with your airline and destination regarding any specific rules that may be in effect.

Furthermore, other precautionary measures have been implemented at Lambert Airport to curb the spread of the coronavirus. For example, temperature checks, Plexiglas installations at ticket counters and concession areas, hand sanitizer stations, and social distancing measures have been implemented.

Lambert Airport's restaurants were spaced out during the pandemic

As the COVID-19 pandemic brought air travel to a near-standstill, St. Louis Lambert International Airport implemented several measures to ensure the safety of its passengers and staff. These included enforcing a mask mandate, encouraging social distancing by spacing out seating in restaurants and waiting areas, and increasing the frequency of cleaning, particularly in high-touch areas such as handrails and elevator buttons.

During the pandemic, the airport experienced a significant drop in passenger numbers, with only around 1,000 people passing through during the first week of April 2020, compared to the usual 42,000. This prompted the airport to re-evaluate its business strategies and cut costs without compromising passenger safety.

In line with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, airlines operating at Lambert Airport, such as Frontier Airlines, also required passengers to wear face masks onboard aircraft and at gate areas. Some tenants and airlines installed Plexiglas at ticket counters and concession areas for added protection.

As air travel gradually resumed, the airport's focus on safety and cleanliness remained. In June 2021, the TSA checkpoint volume reached 105,482 passengers, indicating a rebound in travel demand. The airport's director, Rhonda Hamm-Niebruegge, attributed this to people's pent-up demand for leisure travel and the implementation of safety protocols that reassured the public that flying was safe.

While face masks are no longer mandatory at St. Louis Lambert International Airport as of April 2022, individuals may still choose to wear them voluntarily. The airport continues to adapt to the evolving needs and preferences of travellers in the post-pandemic era.

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