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The federal transportation mask mandate is due to expire on April 18. The mandate requires that masks be worn on planes, in airports, and on trains and buses. The mandate was initiated in January 2021 and was extended on March 18, 2022 at the recommendation of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, according to the TSA.
Several cities and states in the U.S. have already waived mask wearing rules, including Nevada and California. Norwegian, Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Lines have all eased mask wearing on their cruises.
In addition, several countries have relaxed restrictions. Britain’s Jet2 airline dropped its mask mandate. Most airlines still require face coverings onboard.
Industry groups and Republican politicians are pushing the White House to end the mask mandate, in despite an ongoing surge in COVID-19 cases due to a new Omicron variant.
The Biden administration is also considering easing requirements that international travelers test negative for COVID-19 within a day of their visit to the U.S., and many other countries have completely dropped testing requirements. Currently, foreign air travelers must also be vaccinated.
White House COVID-19 response coordinator Ashish Jha said that the CDC Director, Rochelle Walensky, will decide whether the mandate should be extended.
In February, the CDC eased its general mask guidance and says that most of the U.S. population resides in counties where indoor mask wearing is unnecessary.
In a letter to Ashish Jha released Monday, many airlines, travel groups and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce emphasized their hope to end the mask mandate, citing scientific support that the U.S. population does not need to wear masks indoors.
In March, the U.S. Senate voted 57 to 40 to stop mask wearing on airplanes and other public transportation, but President Biden threatened to veto it.
The mask requirements have resulted in several incidents on U.S. airplanes, including violence. The Federal Aviation Administration reported that since January 2021, there have been 7,060 reports of unruly passenger incidents. About 70% of the incidents involved the mask mandate.
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