In the wake of a federal court ruling yesterday declaring the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions’ mask mandate exceeds its authority, the Orange County Transportation Authority announced this morning that it is ending its requirement for bus passengers to wear masks, effective immediately.
Passengers are who desire to follow the CDC’ recommendation to wear a mask may do so if they wish.
As a result of that ruling, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) also announced it will not enforce mask-related directives. Airlines quickly announced they will no longer requires passengers to wear masks.
The OCTA has followed federal guidelines on masking since early in the COVID-19 pandemic. Electronic signs on all OCTA buses warn passengers, “No Mask – No Ride.” The agency also installed hand-sanitizer stations on board every bus and made face masks available for passengers who needed them – giving out more than 2 million masks to date.
