Passengers can skip masks at Columbus airports, COTA buses

Goodbye masks, Columbus. Face masks are no longer required on Central Ohio Transit Authority buses or inside the John Glenn Columbus International Airport or Rickenbacker International Airport after a federal judge struck down a mandate requiring masks on public transportation nationwide.

The mask mandate had been set to expire Monday but was previously extended to May 3 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to allow more time to study the emerging BA.2 omicron subvariant of COVID-19.

That is, until a federal judge in Florida struck it down Monday, saying it exceeded the CDC'S authority.

COTA announced on Tuesday that per the federal ruling, the regional transit authority will no longer require masks on its buses, vehicles or in its facilities. Masks are now optional, as they are still encouraged by the CDC.

The announcement warned that customers might experience inconsistent enforcement by COTA employees given the sudden nature of the policy change.

“We ask (customers) to exhibit understanding and patience during this brief period. It will also take time to fully communicate to customers through social media, vehicle signage and onboard audio announcements, regarding the end of the mask requirement,” the statement by COTA said.

According to the Columbus Regional Airport Authority website, flycolumbus.com, masks are optional in Columbus airports and on planes.

Make sure to check your specific airline to see if they still require a mask on board. Following the ruling, United, American, Southwest, Delta, Alaska, Allegiant and other airlines said they were dropping their face mask requirements effective immediately.

Information from the USA Today Network was included in this story. jlaird@gannett.com @Lairdwrites