US to extend transit mask mandate through mid-March, sources say
President Joe Biden’s administration will extend requirements for travelers to wear masks on airplanes, trains and buses and at airports and train stations through mid-March, sources briefed on the matter told Reuters, amid concerns about a new Covid-19 variant. A formal announcement extending the requirements through March 18 is expected on Thursday, the sources said. The White House and the TSA declined to comment. The TSA in August extended the transportation mask order through Jan. 18. Biden plans to discuss the US strategy for fighting Covid-19 this winter on Thursday and the transit mask extension is expected to be part of his remarks. The White House also plans to announce stricter testing rules for international visitors. The CDC confirmed late on Tuesday it is working to impose stricter Covid-19 testing rules for air travelers entering the United States amid concerns about the Omicron variant. The current CDC order, which has been in place since soon after Biden took office in January, requires masks to be worn by all travelers on airplanes, ships, trains, subways, buses, taxis and ride-shares and at transportation hubs such as airports, bus or ferry terminals, train and subway stations, and seaports.<br/>
https://portal.staralliance.com/cms/news/hot-topics/2021-12-02/general/us-to-extend-transit-mask-mandate-through-mid-march-sources-say
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US to extend transit mask mandate through mid-March, sources say
President Joe Biden’s administration will extend requirements for travelers to wear masks on airplanes, trains and buses and at airports and train stations through mid-March, sources briefed on the matter told Reuters, amid concerns about a new Covid-19 variant. A formal announcement extending the requirements through March 18 is expected on Thursday, the sources said. The White House and the TSA declined to comment. The TSA in August extended the transportation mask order through Jan. 18. Biden plans to discuss the US strategy for fighting Covid-19 this winter on Thursday and the transit mask extension is expected to be part of his remarks. The White House also plans to announce stricter testing rules for international visitors. The CDC confirmed late on Tuesday it is working to impose stricter Covid-19 testing rules for air travelers entering the United States amid concerns about the Omicron variant. The current CDC order, which has been in place since soon after Biden took office in January, requires masks to be worn by all travelers on airplanes, ships, trains, subways, buses, taxis and ride-shares and at transportation hubs such as airports, bus or ferry terminals, train and subway stations, and seaports.<br/>
