Masking rules no longer in effect at Sea-Tac Airport, Paine Field

Following a federal judge ruling in Florida that federal health officials do not have the authority to enforce masking rules on federal transportation, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has confirmed it will not require masks in airports and on airlines, according to an administration official. That will include both Sea-Tac Airport and Paine Field.

Dominoes began to fall Monday afternoon with Alaska Airlines announcing that facemasks are now optional. United Airlines also appears poised to drop the masking requirement.

The White House is still deciding if the Biden administration plans to appeal Monday’s ruling.

While the federal ruling applies to all federal transportation, including public transit agencies such as King County Metro, the transportation agency wrote in a statement to KIRO Newsradio that “masks are still required on King County Metro.”

“While a federal judge in Florida ruled against the transit mask mandate, there may be an appeal from the Justice Department that could lead to a delay in implementation, or for the decision to be altered or overruled. In the meantime, Metro’s mask mandate remains in effect,” said Sean Hawks, communications director with King County Metro.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.