Masks At Rsw Airport: What's The Mandate?

As of April 19, 2022, masks are no longer required at Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW). However, the CDC still strongly encourages those travelling to wear a mask. This change came about when a federal judge in Tampa struck down the Biden administration's mandate for public transportation. Despite this, upon entering the terminal at RSW, signs that say federal law requires wearing a mask at all times while in the airport remain posted, and announcements are still being made over the PA system.

Mask mandate end at RSW Airport

As of April 19, 2022, masks are no longer required at Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW). This change came about when a federal judge in Tampa struck down the Biden administration's mandate for public transportation. However, the CDC still strongly encourages those travelling to wear a mask.

Upon entering the terminal at RSW, signs saying "federal law requires wearing a mask at all times while in the airport" were still posted, and announcements were being made over the PA system to the same effect. However, inside the airport, there was an even split between passengers wearing masks and those not wearing masks.

Different airlines have set their own guidelines and policies. Delta Airlines, for example, warned that there may be inconsistent enforcement and incorrect signage while airports and airlines work out their new rules. American Airlines has asked passengers to respect other travellers who still want to wear a mask, and Alaska Airlines has stated that international travellers may still need to wear a mask.

Before the mandate was lifted, federal law required wearing a mask at all times in and at Southwest Florida International Airport. Failure to comply may have resulted in removal and denial of re-entry. Refusing to wear a mask was considered a violation of federal law, and individuals could have been subject to penalties.

Exemptions to wearing masks at RSW Airport

As of April 19, 2022, masks are no longer required at RSW Airport in Fort Myers, Florida. However, prior to this date, a federal law implemented on February 2, 2021, mandated the wearing of masks at all times while in the airport. While this mandate has since been lifted, certain exemptions to wearing masks at RSW Airport were previously in place.

• Children under the age of 2: Security Directive SD 1542-21-01 stated that children under the age of 2 were exempt from wearing masks at RSW Airport.
• People with disabilities: As defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.), individuals with disabilities who could not wear or safely wear a mask due to their disability were exempt from the mask mandate.
• Workplace health and safety: Individuals for whom wearing a mask would create a risk to workplace health, safety, or job duty as determined by relevant workplace safety guidelines or federal regulations were also exempt from the mask requirement.

It is important to note that while the mask mandate has been lifted at RSW Airport, individual airlines may still have their own guidelines and policies regarding mask-wearing. Some airlines, such as Alaska Airlines, mention that international travelers may still be required to wear masks. Therefore, it is recommended to check with your specific airline for their latest requirements and guidelines.

Airlines' policies on masks

Airlines have had to adapt their policies on masks several times since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially, masks were mandatory on all flights, in airports, and on public transportation. However, as of April 18, 2022, a federal judge in Florida ruled that U.S. health agencies do not have the authority to enforce a national transportation mask mandate. This has resulted in a domino effect, with most major U.S. airlines dropping their mask mandates for both crew and passengers.

Delta Air Lines

Delta Air Lines no longer enforces a mask mandate in airports and on airplanes. However, the company states that employees and customers may continue to wear masks if they choose to. Delta also reserves the right to change its mask policy at any time without prior notice to comply with changing government requirements or public health guidance. Masks are still required on Delta flights where mandated by the laws of the flight origin and/or destination, including local governments or foreign countries or territories.

Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines immediately moved to make masks optional on its flights following the April 18 ruling. However, the airline reminds its passengers that masks are still required on flights to and from Canada.

American Airlines

American Airlines has also dropped its mask mandate for customers and team members at U.S. airports and on domestic flights. However, the company reminds travellers that masks might still be required based on local ordinances or when travelling to or from international destinations that require masking on planes.

JetBlue

Effective April 18, masks are optional on JetBlue flights.

Southwest Airlines

While federal law no longer requires masks to be worn, Southwest informs travellers that they are welcome to wear masks while travelling if they prefer. The airline also reminds passengers that some cities or states may have mask mandates at airports, and travellers will need to abide by these rules.

United Airlines

United Airlines has also dropped its mask mandate for domestic flights and select international flights, depending on the arrival country's requirements. The company states that employees are no longer required to wear masks but can choose to do so, as the CDC continues to recommend wearing masks on public transportation.

Other Airlines

Other airlines, such as Air Canada, Air France, Allegiant, British Airways, Emirates, Etihad, Frontier, Hawaiian Airlines, LATAM, Lufthansa, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Spirit Airlines, TAP Air Portugal, and Turkish Airlines, have also implemented various policies on masks throughout the pandemic. These policies have changed over time, and it is recommended to check the latest updates before travelling.

Federal law on masks at airports

As of April 19, 2022, masks are no longer federally mandated at RSW Airport, or on any US domestic flights and most international flights. This is due to a federal judge in Tampa overturning the Biden administration's mandate for public transportation. The CDC still strongly encourages those travelling to wear a mask.

Previously, from February 2, 2021, a federal law required wearing a mask at all times in and at Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW). This was directed by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in consultation with the Federal Aviation Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC issued an Order under Section 361 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 264) which included the following:

• Requires the wearing of masks while on airport property
• Boarding only those persons who wear masks
• Notifying all persons that failure to comply with the mask requirement constitutes a violation of federal law
• Disembarking and removing any person who refuses to comply with the Order and TSA Directive

The TSA's Security Directive SD 1542-21-01 exempts the following categories of persons from wearing masks:

• Children under the age of 2
• People with disabilities who cannot wear, or safely wear, a mask because of the disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act
• People for whom wearing a mask would create a risk to workplace health, safety, or job duty as determined by the relevant workplace safety guidelines or federal regulations

While the federal mandate has been overturned, individual airlines have set their own guidelines and policies. Delta Airlines, for example, has said that there may be inconsistent enforcement and incorrect signage while airports and airlines work out their new rules. American Airlines has asked passengers to respect other travellers who still want to wear a mask, and Alaska Airlines has said that international travellers may still have to wear a mask.

TSA advice on masks

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has implemented a federal law that requires all passengers to wear masks at all times in and at US airports. This includes Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW), where signs and announcements still indicate that masks are mandatory. However, as of April 19, 2022, masks are no longer required at RSW, and passengers are advised to check with their airline as some carriers, especially those flying internationally, may have different requirements.

The TSA's mask mandate, which was in place from February 2, 2021, until May 11, 2021, stated that passengers who refused to wear a mask would not be allowed to enter the secure areas of the airport, including the terminal and gate areas. This applied to all passengers over the age of two, with exemptions for those with certain disabilities and children under two years old. Refusal to wear a mask could also result in civil penalties for interfering with screening requirements.

The TSA has developed these requirements in consultation with the Federal Aviation Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC continues to strongly encourage mask-wearing when travelling, and the TSA recommends that passengers check the latest guidance from the CDC regarding masks and travel.

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