Which Bay Area airports, public transportation still require masks? List here

Thursday, April 28, 2022
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Bay Area transit agencies and hubs are still sorting their responses to Monday's dropping of the national mask mandate for public transit.

The decision by a federal judge in Florida created a confusing patchwork of rules for passengers across the country and right here in the Bay Area.

RELATED: Some cheer, others fear as airlines drop mask rules when federal judge strikes down CDC mandate

San Francisco International Airport announced Tuesday morning that masks are now optional inside the airport, complying with a ruling from a federal judge striking down mask mandates on public transportation.

Here's the latest list of how Bay Area airports, transit agencies, and ride share companies are adjusting their policies:
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Airports


San Francisco International Airport: OPTIONAL
The airport officially tweeted Tuesday that masks are now optional for guests and employees at SFO.
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Mineta San Jose International Airport: OPTIONAL
The airport acknowledged to ABC7 News on Tuesday that 'face coverings will no longer be required, but are still strongly recommended by the CDC.'

Oakland International Airport: OPTIONAL
The airport tweeted Monday night that masks would no longer be required, but also said 'We recognize that travelers and employees will have varied opinions about this sudden change, and we ask that people respect the individual decision to wear a face mask or not.'

Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport: OPTIONAL
The airport confirmed Tuesday that they would not be enforcing a mask mandate but that the 'TSA is still evaluating how they will respond to the ruling, and there may be additional changes in the future.'

Transit Agencies


BART: REQUIRED
BART officials voted in its April 28 meeting to reinstate a mask mandate for passengers and employees now through July 18.

Amtrak: OPTIONAL
The train system announced Tuesday that passengers and employees would not longer be required to wear masks.

SFMTA: OPTIONAL
The agency tweeted Wednesday that starting at midnight on April 21 it would no longer require masks in any SFMTA facilities or Muni vehicles, which also includes taxis.

AC Transit: OPTIONAL
The agency announced Tuesday that masks will be voluntary on AC Transit buses as of 12:00 a.m. on April 20. AC Transit, CDC and TSA still strongly recommend masks on transit.

VTA: OPTIONAL
The agency said Wednesday morning that it is strongly recommending, but not requiring, passengers and employees to wear masks aboard VTA buses, light rail, and paratransit vehicles, and at all VTA facilities.
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Caltrain: OPTIONAL
The rail agency updated its policy Wednesday saying it no longer requires masks but will continue to monitor any future federal, state, or local directives.

SamTrans: OPTIONAL
The agency updated its policy Wednesday saying 'following Federal and State direction SamTrans recommends but no longer requires the use of masks. We will continue to monitor any future federal, state or local directives.'

Golden Gate Transit: OPTIONAL
The agency updated its policy on Wednesday saying that mask would no longer be required but strongly recommended.

Golden Gate Ferry: OPTIONAL
The agency updated its policy on Wednesday saying that mask would no longer be required but strongly recommended.

San Francisco Bay Ferry: OPTIONAL
The agency updated its policy, saying that effective Thursday masks would no longer be required.

SMART: OPTIONAL
The agency updated its policy Wednesday saying that it would follow TSA guidelines and make masks optional.

WestCAT: OPTIONAL
The agency updated its policy on Wednesday saying that wearing masks is still strongly recommended.

ACE Train: PENDING-REQUIRED
The agency has not listed an update to its policy, but it did post on Facebook that it was aware of the ruling and awaiting further guidance.

Ride Shares


Uber: OPTIONAL
The company updated its policy Tuesday saying that masks are optional for riders and drivers. They also said that riders will be allowed to sit in the front seat if their group is too big to all fit in the backseat.


Lyft: OPTIONAL
The company updated their policy on Tuesday saying that in addition to masks now being optional for riders and drivers, that 'drivers are no longer required to keep the front seat empty or the windows open' and that 'while riders and drivers can always cancel any ride they don't wish to take, health safety reasons - like not wearing a mask - will no longer appear as cancellation options in the app.'


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