CDC to Extend Airline Mask Mandate

On Wednesday, the Biden administration announced a 15-day extension of the nationwide mask requirement for public transit while monitoring a rise in COVID-19 cases.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated it is prolonging the order, initially set to expire on April 18, until May 3, to better assess the BA.2 Omicron subvariant now driving most cases in the U.S.

The agency noted, “To evaluate the potential effects of rising cases on severe illness, including hospitalizations and fatalities, as well as healthcare capacity, the CDC order will stay in effect for now,” in a recent statement.

When the Transportation Security Administration, which enforces the mask mandate for planes, buses, trains, and transit stations, extended the requirement last month, it mentioned that the CDC was considering a more adaptable masking approach to replace the national mandate.

The mask mandate stands as the most prominent remnant of governmental measures to manage the pandemic and is arguably the most contentious. A rise in abusive and occasionally violent incidents on flights has largely been linked to arguments over mask use.

Critics have highlighted that while states have lifted mask mandates in restaurants, shops, and other indoor areas, COVID-19 cases have significantly declined since the Omicron variant peaked in mid-January.

In recent weeks, there has been a modest uptick in cases, fueled by the BA.2 variant, with daily confirmed cases across the nation increasing from approximately 25,000 to over 30,000. These numbers may be underestimated as many individuals now test positive at home and do not report results to health authorities.

Severe illnesses and fatalities typically follow infections by a few weeks. The CDC is monitoring whether the rise in cases corresponds to an increase in serious outcomes before considering a less stringent mask policy for travel.