TSA To Extend Mask Mandate For Travelers Into Next Year

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced it would extend its mask mandate for travel on airplanes, buses, and trains. The current mask mandate was set to expire on September 13, 2021, and will now end on January 18, 2022.

TSA will extend the directives through January 18, 2022,” the company stated in a press release. “The purpose of TSA’s mask directive is to minimize the spread of COVID-19 on public transportation.”

The mandate was extended for the first time in May.

Passengers that refuse to wear masks will be fined.

“Extending the federal mask mandate for travel makes sense for the current health environment and has the travel industry’s full support,” U.S. Travel Association govt vice chairman of public affairs and coverage Tori Emerson Barnes stated.

“The universal wearing of masks in airports and on airplanes, trains and other forms of public transportation is both an effective safeguard against spreading the virus and boosts public confidence in traveling — both of which are paramount for a sustained economic recovery.”

Last month, Marty Cetron, an official for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), signed the agency’s updated mask order. Centron says that mask mandates are effective in helping to stop the spread of the deadly COVID-19 virus.

“Masks are really powerful, and we should make sure they’re part of our arsenal,” the official said. “The truth is that the unvaccinated portion that’s out there is extremely vulnerable.”

The mask mandate has been controversial and has led to many encounters between passengers who don’t want to wear a mask and flight attendants asked to enforce the rule. The extension, however, was not surprising after a recent surge in COVID-19 cases linked to the delta variant of the virus.

 

About RavenH

Raven Haywood is a journalist for 10+ years. Graduate from Howard University.

Check Also

Francis Scott Key Bridge

Biden Pledges Federal Dollars For ‘entire cost’ To Rebuild Collapsed Baltimore Bridge

Jacob Fischler, Michigan Advance President Joe Biden called Tuesday for the federal government to foot …

Leave a Reply