Wearing face masks is now optional when riding the DC Circulator and DC Streetcar, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) announced on Thursday, April 21.
“This change comes as a result of the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) suspending enforcement in light of a federal judge’s ruling,” DDOT said in a statement, referring to last week’s federal ruling that struck down the mask requirement on public transportation. “DDOT implements masking policies based on federal guidance,” it continued.
Following the ruling, the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) suspended the mask mandate imposed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
On Monday, April 18, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) also announced that it has made masks optional on Metrorail, Metrobus, and MetroAccess for its customers until further notice.
However, Metro encouraged riders to “make decisions that are in their best interests” in its statement.
The Biden administration is planning to appeal the federal court decision on the transportation mask mandate.