Multnomah County urges continued masking on public transportation

April 19, 2022

The Multnomah County Public Health Director today issued a statement strongly recommending that people continue masking on public transportation including planes, trains and buses.

Last week, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had recommended masks on public transit continue at least until May 3, 2022 because of an increase in COVID-19 cases nationwide and the need to monitor the impact on hospitalizations and health care. On Tuesday, a Florida judge struck down the requirement. Since then, Portland International Airport and TriMet have both lifted their mask mandates, making masks optional. 

Nevertheless, Multnomah County Public Health Director Jessica Guernsey strongly urged people who have compromised immunity or who live with someone who does, to continue wearing a mask and maintaining social distance in indoor areas with limited air circulation. 

Director Guernsey encourages everyone to continue wearing high-quality masks on public transit, to protect themselves and people who are unvaccinated or those who spend time with people who are unvaccinated, including children. 

Currently, 19% of all Multnomah County residents of all ages are unvaccinated, having not received any dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Only 44 percent of those who have received vaccines have been boosted. And children under age 5 have not been vaccinated at all.

“Locally, Multnomah County COVID-19 case counts are inching up after tremendous declines in the last two months,’’ said Public Health Director Jessica Guernsey. “The ruling has changed what can be enforced at the federal level however it does not change the potential for reducing your risk of getting or spreading COVID-19 by continuing to mask on transportation particularly when you are in close contact for prolonged periods of time.  

“While we have not seen increased hospitalizations or deaths so far in association with introduction of the BA.2 Omicron subvariant, it is prudent to continue some safety measures in order to protect our vulnerable neighbors and provide maximal time without masks,’’ Director Guernsey said. “Masking on public transit is a small effort with potentially large yield in protecting our community.