Masks Still Required on Some Broome Transportation

Public transportation in many localities will still require the wearing of masks to combat the spread of COVID-19 in spite of a Federal Judge in Florida tossing out the national public mask mandate that was due to continue at least through May 3^rd.

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Broome County officials say masks are still required to be worn on the County's public transit buses.  B.C. Transit riders and employees will have to keep facial coverings in place while using those vehicles.

The transit system was not operating on April 19 due to the late-winter snow storm but most route were back in service on April 20.

The County's transportation officials said New York State is still requiring masks on public transit.  No official word had come as of 10 a.m. April 20, but County officials said they assumed the mask mandate would also be followed by the Binghamton University transportation services as the State mandate was still the rule.

Some riders say they plan to continue to wear their masks around strangers as a precaution even if the requirement is lifted while others said they were remaining masked at least until an appeal is figured out in order to avoid additional confusion if the lifted mandate is reinstated following court hearings.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul says she believes public safety concerns about the spread of the coronavirus and the emergence of new variants warrants keeping the state mask mandate in place.

New York City officials had issued a position April 19 saying masks would still be required on subways and other public transportation.

April 19 some private transportation services like UBER and Lyft immediately suspended their masking requirements following the federal court ruling.