As judge ends transportation mask mandate, agencies around Whatcom County make it optional
After a federal judge struck down a mask mandate for planes, buses and other modes of public transportation, most Whatcom County agencies are making it optional.
At the Bellingham International Airport, the mask mandate remained in place hours after the ruling, but changed course on Tuesday morning, April 19. Wearing a mask is now optional for the airport and the Bellingham Cruise Terminal.
All three airlines that serve the Bellingham airport also have decided to make mask wearing optional, with Alaska Airlines first announcing the change on Monday, April 18. Later in the evening Southwest announced it would make masks optional, while several media outlets have reported that Allegiant also is making masks optional.
Alaska Airlines said in a statement that because of the judicial decision, guests and employees would have the option to wear a mask.
“While we are glad this means many of us get to see your smiling faces, we understand some might have mixed feelings,” the statement said. “Please remember to be kind to one another and that wearing a mask while traveling is still an option.”
The Whatcom Transportation Authority announced on Tuesday, April 19, that it also will make masks optional on buses. In an email spokeswoman Maureen McCarthy said the WTA will continue to provide masks and respect people’s choice to wear them. She noted that it will take a few days to remove all of the “mask required” signs from the buses.
The decision Monday by U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle in Tampa, an appointee of former President Donald Trump, found that U.S. health officials had exceeded their authority in their response to the coronavirus pandemic.
The White House said the court ruling means that for now the mask order “is not in effect at this time.”
The Justice Department declined to comment when asked if it would seek an emergency stay to block the judge’s order.
Around Western Washington:
▪ Masks will continue to be required on buses and trains in the Seattle area for now.
▪ Washington State Ferries announced late Monday that masks are no longer required on vessels or inside terminals, the Seattle Times reported.
▪ King County Metro, Sound Transit and Kitsap Transit on Monday said their requirements would not change.
▪ The Seattle-Tacoma International Airport will no longer require travelers to mask up at the airport, but noted that some airlines may continue to require masks on planes.
This story was originally published April 18, 2022 at 5:35 PM.
