KAUKAUNA — Following a Florida judge’s ruling Monday, passengers of Valley Transit, whose route extends to Kaukauna, will no longer be required to wear a mask.

Valley Transit routes travel from Kaukauna through the Heart of the Valley, to Appleton and on to Neenah.

“Effective immediately, Valley Transit will follow the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in ending its mask requirement,” Valley Transit General Manager Ron McDonald said in a statement.

This change means masks will no longer be required on buses or inside the Transit Center.

“Valley Transit is committed to being welcoming and safe for all riders and will continue to have safety measures in place including enhanced cleaning, driver barriers and bus air purification systems,” read the statement. “Everyone may now choose whether they want to wear a mask.”

The CDC continues to recommend that people wear masks in indoor public transportation settings.

Those with questions or concerns regarding this change should contact Valley Transit directly at 920-832-5800.

On Monday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it will no longer enforce its mask order at airports across the country following the court ruling.

As a result of a court order, effective immediately and as of April 18, 2022, CDC’s January 29, 2021 Order requiring masks on public transportation conveyances and at transportation hubs is no longer in effect. Therefore, CDC will not enforce the Order. CDC continues to recommend that people wear masks in indoor public transportation settings at this time.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Following the order, a Biden administration official said the TSA will not enforce its Security Directives and Emergency Amendment requiring mask use on public transportation and transportation hubs at this time.

That includes airports like the Austin Straubel International Airport in northeast Wisconsin, but also extends to all public transportation, according to a statement from the CDC.

The mandate originally was set to expire Monday, but the CDC had extended it to May 3, 2022. That rule is no longer in effect.

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By Dan Plutchak

Dan Plutchak, born and raised in Kaukauna, is cofounder of Kaukauna Community News.