Federal ruling changes mask mandates for IndyGo, Indianapolis airport

Mask requirements are no longer being enforced on IndyGo buses and at Indianapolis International Airport.

The changes to COVID-19 protocols for the public transportation agencies in Indianapolis – and across the country – come after a federal judge ruled Monday that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had exceeded its authority and failed to follow proper rulemaking procedures when it created the mask mandate.

IndyGo issued a statement Tuesday announcing that masks are now optional on the transit system’s buses and properties.

“Effective immediately, those riding with IndyGo or visiting IndyGo properties are no longer required to wear a mask,” IndyGo said in the statement. “Those who wish to wear a mask may continue to do so.”

READ MORE: TSA will no longer enforce travel mask mandate after a federal judge strikes it down

The ruling also applies to U.S. airports, domestic flights and some international flights. Indianapolis International Airport posted on Twitter Tuesday afternoon that the mask mandate was no longer being enforced.

“Now that the CDC's order requiring masks at public transportation hubs is no longer in effect and TSA will not enforce mask-related security directives, masks are no longer required at the Indianapolis International Airport,” the airport tweeted. “We’re in the process of updating or removing signage.”

Now that the CDC's order requiring masks at public transportation hubs is no longer in effect and TSA will not enforce mask-related security directives, masks are no longer required at the Indianapolis International Airport.

We’re in the process of updating or removing signage.

— Indianapolis Airport (@INDairport) April 19, 2022

As of Tuesday afternoon, eight of the 11 airlines serving the Indianapolis airport had announced they were making masks optional on their flights:

• Alaska Air
• American Airlines
• Delta Air Lines
• Frontier Airlines
• Southwest Airlines
• Spirit Airlines
• Sun Country
• United Airlines

Uber, Greyhound and Amtrak also announced that they were lifting mask requirements following the judge’s ruling.