Masks Still Required By CTA, Metra Despite Lifting Of Mandate

CHICAGO —As the mask mandate across Illinois and the City of Chicago is lifted starting on Monday, residents who rely on public transportation to get to where they need to go are reminded to keep their faces covered.

Both the Chicago Transit Authority and Metra sent out social media reminders to passengers on Monday alerting them to the fact that masks are still required on city buses and trains. While many places – including bars, restaurants, fitness centers, and grocery stores – are no longer requiring patrons to keep their faces cover to enter, federal guidelines still require public transportation users to mask up. The mask mandate also remains in effect at long-term care centers, medical facilities and other places.

For CTA users, the mask requirement pertains to train stations and platforms regardless of vaccination status.

“Stay safe out there and be sure to do your part to protect yourself and those around you,” CTA officials wrote in a social media post.

Metra officials said that their mask mandate, as issued by the TSA, extends through March 18.

The statewide mask mandate was also lifted for school students after the Illinois State Supreme Court declined to consider Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s appeal of a temporary restraining order that was issued by a downstate judge earlier this month.