The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced on Thursday it has extended the mask mandate on all public transportation—which includes airplanes, trains, buses and in airports and train stations—through at least April 18. The announcement came from a White House and TSA official, NBC News reports. The mandate was previously set to expire March 18—although it had been extended twice before.
Going forward, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), NBC said, will work with government agencies to help inform a revised policy framework for when the mask rules can be lifted. "This revised framework will be based on the COVID-19 community levels, risk of new variants, national data, and the latest science. We will communicate any updates publicly if and/or when they change," the agency said, according to USA Today.
This week, the CDC shared 10 tips for Spring Break travel with No. 1 being “Continue to wear a face mask.” That said, the CDC also at the end of February detailed new guidance saying masks no longer need to be worn indoors in particular settings based on your “COVID-19 Community Level.” JetBlue, according to USA Today, was the first airline to impose a mask requirement (early May 2020), and was quickly followed by other carriers.
The good news, TSA Administrator David Pekoske said in a statement, "We are seeing a light at the end of the tunnel as demonstrated by the rapid recovery of the travel industry."
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