Passengers must wear masks on planes, trains, and buses through April 18th, according to multiple outlets.
The mask requirement was set to expire next Friday, but the TSA explained that it is extending the precaution because the volume of travel is expected to increase in the next several weeks. A TSA official told CNN that the extension is consistent with advice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and that it could be terminated before April 18th if COVID-19 case numbers continue to improve.
A TSA press release from Wednesday asked passengers to “do their part” to combat the pandemic:
“TSA’s collaboration with industry and federal partners has been instrumental throughout this pandemic, and now we are seeing a light at the end of the tunnel as demonstrated by the rapid recovery of the travel industry,” said TSA Administrator David Pekoske. “We are prepared and ready for a busy spring, and are doing our part to ensure the traveling public is safe and secure by continuing to deploy new technologies within the checkpoint that enhance security, reduce physical contact and improve the traveling experience. We just ask travelers to do their part by being respectful to each other and those who work in the transportation sector – from our officers to airport workers and flight crew.”
The TSA’s decision comes as most COVID-19 precautions are being rolled back. Earlier this week, Hawaii announced it will end its universal indoor mask mandate on March 26th, becoming the 50th and final state to do so.
Just two months ago, the U.S. was averaging over 800,000 new COVID-19 cases every day. On Thursday, that number had fallen to just under 38,000.
However, nearly 1,400 Americans are still dying from the virus every day.