Hampton Roads Transit announced Tuesday that it will relax its mask mandate and allow customers the option of wearing a face mask while riding on public transit services or while walking through HRT facilities.
The decision came after the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced Monday that it would no longer enforce its Security Directives and Emergency Amendment requiring mask use on public transportation and transportation hubs.
“While we recognize that COVID remains a concern to our communities, the rates of infection have declined sufficiently that we are comfortable with the TSA’s guidance giving our customers the option of not wearing a mask,” said William Harrell, President, and CEO of HRT.
“Customers are welcome to wear masks if they like, but we will not remove a customer if they choose not to wear a mask,” he said.
TSA also rescinded new Security Directives that were scheduled to take effect Tuesday. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to recommend that people wear masks in indoor public transportation settings
The TSA’s decision came after U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle struck down on Monday the Biden administration’s mask mandate for airplanes and other public transport methods. A Biden administration official said the order is no longer in effect while the ruling is reviewed.
For more information on transit services, visit gohrt.com.
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