Minneapolis Airport Mask Rules: What You Need To Know

As of April 18, 2022, masks are no longer required at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. The Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) announced that masks would be optional at the airport after a federal judge in Florida invalidated the federal mask mandate on public transportation. This ruling caught some travelers by surprise, and the CDC continues to recommend that people wear masks in indoor public transportation settings. The MAC's decision followed a similar announcement by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) that it would no longer enforce mask-related regulations.

The Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) manages Minneapolis Airport

The Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) is a 650-person organisation that owns and operates the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and six reliever airports in the Twin Cities area. It is a state-level airport authority and a governmental agency of the State of Minnesota.

MAC was created by state law in 1943 as a public corporation. It is committed to bringing a seamless and award-winning travel experience to its customers. The MAC provides strategic partnership opportunities and leases retail, passenger service, and food and beverage concessions at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP), which is one of the nation's busiest airports and a hub for Delta Air Lines.

The MAC operates the third-largest aviation system in the nation. Its system of airports plays a vital role in stimulating a thriving and vibrant community. The MAC is funded by rents and fees generated by users of its airports rather than income or property taxes.

MAC's six reliever airports are within 35 miles of both Minneapolis and St. Paul's downtowns. They primarily provide service to private individuals and businesses but also offer regional transportation services. The commission's policies are set and interpreted by a board of commissioners appointed by Minnesota's governor and the mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul.

On April 18, 2022, the MAC announced that masks would be optional at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and its six general aviation airports following a ruling by a federal judge in Florida, who invalidated the federal mask mandate on public transportation.

Face masks were made optional at Minneapolis Airport on April 18, 2022

On April 18, 2022, face masks were made optional at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. This change came about following a ruling by U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle, a Trump appointee, which invalidated the federal mask mandate on public transportation. The Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC), which manages the airport, announced that masks would be optional, in line with the ruling. This decision was also influenced by statements from major airlines, which said that masks would no longer be enforced onboard flights.

Prior to this ruling, the MAC had strongly encouraged passengers to wear masks in public areas of the airport, both indoors and outdoors, to help slow the spread of COVID-19. The airport had also implemented various other safety measures, including distributing care kits containing face masks and hand sanitizer, installing hand sanitizing stations, encouraging physical distancing, and increasing cleaning of high-touch surfaces.

The CDC had extended the federal mask mandate through May 3, 2022, to study the effects of the BA.2 omicron subvariant of the coronavirus, which was responsible for most new cases in the U.S. at the time. However, the ruling by Judge Mizelle took precedence, and the White House expressed disappointment in the decision. The CDC continued to recommend wearing masks on public transit, and the MAC also encouraged passengers to do so, even if it was no longer a requirement.

This change at Minneapolis Airport reflected a broader shift in mask policies across the country, with various cities and states repealing or reconsidering their mask mandates as COVID-19 cases declined.

The CDC extended the federal mask mandate for airports through May 3, 2022

As of April 13, 2022, the CDC extended the federal mask mandate for airports through May 3, 2022. This mandate requires masks to be worn on airplanes and in airports across the United States. The mandate was extended in response to the spread of the Omicron COVID-19 variant, particularly the BA.2 subvariant, which made up more than 85% of US cases at the time. The CDC wanted to assess the potential impact of the recent rise in COVID-19 cases on severe disease, including hospitalizations and deaths, as well as healthcare system capacity.

The CDC's extension of the federal mask mandate for airports followed a series of previous extensions. Initially, the TSA announced a face mask requirement with an expiration date of May 11, 2021. This was then extended through September 13, 2021, and later through March 18, 2022. The mandate was further extended through May 3, 2022, to allow the CDC more time to study the effects of the BA.2 Omicron subvariant, which was responsible for most new cases in the US.

The extension of the federal mask mandate for airports was not without controversy. There was pressure on the CDC and TSA to remove the mandate as COVID-19 cases declined. Following the CDC's extension, a federal judge in Florida struck down the mandate for airplanes, trains, buses, and other public transportation. This ruling led to masks becoming optional at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and its six general aviation airports. The Metropolitan Airports Commission announced that masks would be optional, following guidance from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) that it would no longer enforce mask-related regulations.

While masks were no longer required at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport after the federal judge's ruling, the CDC continued to recommend wearing masks in indoor public transportation settings. The CDC's recommendation was based on the ongoing spread of COVID-19 and the need to protect others by preventing the transmission of respiratory viruses. The CDC's role in public health decision-making during the pandemic was crucial, and its recommendations carried weight even when mandates were not in place.

The CDC's extension of the federal mask mandate for airports through May 3, 2022, was a public health measure to address the spread of COVID-19 and its variants. The mandate's enforcement and subsequent removal at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport highlight the evolving nature of pandemic responses and the ongoing debate surrounding mask mandates in public transportation settings.

The TSA extended its face mask requirement for all transportation networks through January 18, 2022

As of April 18, 2022, masks are no longer required at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. This is because a federal judge in Florida struck down the federal mandate on public transportation, including airplanes, trains, buses, and other forms of public transportation. The CDC had extended the mandate through May 3, 2022, to allow the agency to study the BA.2 omicron subvariant of the coronavirus, which was responsible for most new cases in the US at the time. However, the ruling by U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle, a Trump appointee, took precedence, and the White House expressed disappointment in the decision.

Prior to this ruling, the TSA had extended its face mask requirement for all transportation networks, including airports, commercial aircraft, over-the-road buses, and commuter bus and rail systems, through several dates. The initial face mask requirement was announced on January 31, 2021, and was set to expire on May 11, 2021. This was then extended to September 13, 2021, and later to March 18, 2022, and then to May 3, 2022. These extensions were based on recommendations from the CDC and were implemented to help slow the spread of COVID-19 and its variants.

It is important to note that even after the federal judge's ruling, the CDC continued to recommend wearing masks on public transportation. Additionally, individuals with certain disabilities and children under the age of 2 were exempt from the TSA's face mask requirement.

Most major US airlines require travellers to wear masks onboard flights

As of April 18, 2022, masks are no longer required at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) following a federal judge's ruling in Florida, which invalidated the federal mask mandate on public transportation. The Metropolitan Airports Commission, which manages the airport, announced that wearing a mask will now be optional. This change is in line with the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) updated guidance, which states that it will no longer enforce mask-related regulations at airports, on aircraft, or on other forms of public transportation.

While masks are no longer mandatory at MSP, it is important to note that the CDC continues to recommend wearing masks in indoor public transportation settings, including airports and airplanes. The CDC advises that wearing a well-fitted mask helps protect individuals and those around them, contributing to safer travel and public transportation.

In addition to the changes at MSP, major US airlines have also dropped their mask mandates for domestic flights. After the federal ruling, airlines such as American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines made masks optional for their crew and passengers on domestic flights. However, it is worth noting that masking requirements may still apply when travelling to or from certain international destinations based on country-specific regulations.

For travellers, it is essential to stay informed about the latest requirements and recommendations. While masks may not be mandatory in all situations, individuals can make personal choices about wearing masks to protect themselves and others. Staying updated on the masking regulations implemented by specific airlines and destinations is crucial, as policies can change rapidly.

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