The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) extended its COVID mask mandate on airplanes until April 18.
“At CDC’s recommendation, TSA will extend the security directive for mask use on public transportation and transportation hubs for one month, through April 18th,” confirmed an official with the TSA.
“During that time, CDC will work with government agencies to help inform a revised policy framework for when, and under what circumstances, masks should be required in the public transportation corridor. 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,” explained the official.
The decision comes after 92 Republican lawmakers sent a letter to the agency asking for the mandates to be lifted when the original deadline of March 18 expires.
TSA to extend mask mandate for planes, public transportation until April 18 https://t.co/WzWc3zoyRn
— Mary Ann Ahern (@MaryAnnAhernNBC) March 10, 2022
“Given strong declines in COVID-19 cases and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) latest guidance eliminating indoor mask requirements for much of the population, we believe TSA’s mask mandate should be allowed to expire later this month,” states the letter.
“Apparently government doesn’t want to relinquish its power and plans to extend the mask mandate on planes & public transportation,” posted Sen. Rand Paul on Twitter.
Read the full report here.
