Do riders still need to wear a mask on NYC mass transit?
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Dont throw out that mask just yet, especially if youre riding mass transit. The MTA is reminding New York City commuters that although Gov. Andrew Cuomo recently lifted the vast majority of coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions, mask usage is still required while riding the agencys buses and trains and when waiting within indoor stations. On Tuesday, Cuomo announced that the state has lifted virtually all coronavirus-related restrictions as the percentage of adult New Yorkers who have received at least one shot of the coronavirus vaccine reached 70%. Social distancing, cleaning and disinfection, health screenings, capacity restrictions and contact tracing are no longer required in most settings. Retail, food services, offices, gyms, fitness centers, amusement and family entertainment, hair salons, personal care services and other businesses can opt to keep guidelines, but are not required to do so. However, large-scale event venues, schools, public transit, homeless shelters, correctional facilities, nursing homes and health-care settings must continue to follow the original guidance until more residents are vaccinated, though the governor did not say what that specific vaccination threshold is. While news of lifted restrictions has prompted many New Yorkers to shed their mask in recent days, the MTA is reminding its riders that mask usage is still required when traveling on mass transit. New York has made remarkable progress fighting back against COVID-19, but the pandemic is still here and for riders to best protect themselves and their fellow riders, masks remain required, said Patrick Warren, MTA chief safety officer. New guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention makes it so masks are no longer required in outdoor transit settings, like while waiting on outdoor train platforms or at bus stops, but still must be worn upon boarding the bus or train. The MTA will continue to monitor CDC and New York State Department of Health guidance on masks and update our customers as needed, Warren said.