Thursday’s extension by the Transportation Security Administration to its security directive regarding mask use was extended by the Transportation Security Administration. The directive had been due to expire March 18.
According to an administration official the extension was granted at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendation. This will provide government agencies with a framework for revising their policies on masks in public transport and in transportation hubs.
Official said that the revised framework would be “based on the COVID-19 community level, risk of new variations, national data and the most recent science.”
Airlines for America, a trade association, asked the administration to address COVID policies. This included eliminating pre-departure testing and mask requirements. In a statement, the group stated that “research has consistently affirmed that air on an airplane is safer than almost any other venue.”
“U.S. airlines will continue complying with and enforcing the federal mask mandate in collaboration the TSA/FAA. According to A4A, which represents major carriers, we are encouraged by the lifting mask requirements in all 50 states. “Vaccinations provide a significant layer and decrease cases,” the statement reads.
On March 26, Hawaii, which was the only state that had a quarantine for visitors from other states, will lift this restriction. It was the last state that rescinded its indoor mask requirements which expired March 25.
After President Biden signed an executive directive that required travelers to wear masks on planes, trains, and public boats, including ferries, the CDC had mandated masks for public transport and transportation hubs.
In August, the TSA extended its mask mandate and again in January. However, airlines reported an increase in unruly passengers incidents. Many of these were mask-wearing. According to Federal Aviation Administration statistics, 535 incidents were related to mask-wearing out of 814 reported in 2022. The FAA received 4,290 reports of unruly behavior last year.
