Updated April 19, 9:30 a.m.

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport officials clarified that masks are no longer required in a tweet posted late April 18.

Updated April 18, 8:57 p.m.

Capital Metro issued an updated statement the evening of April 18 after a federal judge overturned the mask mandate for public transportation.

"Effective immediately, customers are no longer required to wear masks while using CapMetro services," said Tawaun Cole, Capital Metro communication and public information officer, in an email. "This is following the announcement from the TSA. The CDC is still encouraging customers to mask up to protect themselves while using public transportation."



Following the court decision, the Transportation Security Agency announced it will no longer enforce its mask mandate on public transportation and in transportation hubs.

Posted April 18, 6:34 p.m.

The Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and Capital Metro are both assessing how an April 18 decision by a federal judge to strike down the mask mandate for public transportation will affect their operations.

In her ruling, U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle said the mask mandate exceeds the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention statutory authority. Furthermore, the ruling calls the mandate “arbitrary” and “capricious” because the CDC failed to adequately explain its reasoning.


The CDC previously announced it would extend the mask mandate for public transportation through May 3. It was initially set to expire April 18.

“AUS is aware of today's federal court ruling and awaits further direction and guidance from the federal government regarding enforcement and will communicate any impacts to passengers and staff accordingly,” an ABIA official said in an email. “Travelers flying this evening should connect directly with their airline for more information about airline mask policies on aircraft.”

Similarly, a Capital Metro representative said the agency is aware of the federal judge’s ruling and is working to determine how it will affect their operations.

“At this time, we are evaluating the ruling and its implications,” said Tawaun Cole, Capital Metro communication and public information officer, in an email.


Both ABIA and Capital Metro said they are continuing to encourage passengers to wear masks in their facilities.

This is a developing story and will be updated as additional information is available.