Mask Mandate Extended For Airlines, Public Transit Despite Relaxed CDC Guidance

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced Thursday that Americans will have to wear a mask on public transport for at least a little bit longer.

The federal mask mandate on airline flights and public transit will be extended until at least April 18, the agency announced. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) ultimately decided to extend the mandate at the recommendation of the CDC.

The TSA’s mandate initially went into effect on Feb. 1, 2021 and was set to expire in May 2021, but it has continually been extended since. The CDC said it will work with other government agencies between now and April 18 to “inform a revised policy framework for when, and under what circumstances, masks should be required in the public transportation corridor.”