The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) will no longer require masks on any of its transit vehicles or facilities. The move announced on Tuesday morning takes effect immediately.
The announcement comes following a decision by a federal judge in Florida which ruled that the federal mask mandate on planes, trains, buses and other modes of public transportation is "unlawful." The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced it would no longer enforce the mask mandate after the ruling.
Prior to the ruling, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) extended the existing mask mandate for public transit until May 13.
COTA said strict and thorough cleaning and sanitation guidelines will continue to be followed.
COTA had announced on Monday, prior to the federal judge's ruling, that passengers would have to wear masks until May 3.
