NEWS: U.S. Extends Transportation Mask Mandate Again

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed a lot about how we travel since 2020.

Former Mask Signage in Disney World

We’ve seen international travel restrictions put in place and later removed, and travel advisories are constantly changing as new variants of the virus are identified. But, with the CDC’s recent changes to face mask guidelines, many travelers were looking to see whether the TSA would extend the current mask mandate that is set to expire on March 18th and we now have an update.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has announced that they will be extending the requirement to wear masks on public transportation in the U.S. through April 18th.

©Orlando International Airport

During this time, the “CDC will work with government agencies to help inform a revised policy framework for when, and under what circumstances, masks should be required in the public transportation corridor.”

The new framework will be rooted in the new guidelines for “COVID-19 community levels, [the] risk of new variants, national data, and the latest science.”

MCO

This marks the third time that the federal mask mandate has been extended, now reaching almost 2 full years since it was first introduced.

The Orlando Airport is pretty big!

This comes as many face mask policies are being relaxed across the U.S. with Disney World, Disneyland, Universal Orlando, and Universal Studios Hollywood no longer requiring that vaccinated guests wear a mask indoors or outdoors.

These changes are in accordance with the new CDC recommendations which allow for most people to go without masks in public indoor settings as long as COVID-19 hospitalizations in their communities remain low.

Face mask mandates are relaxing.

Of course, we will continue to keep an eye out for the latest updates (and if the mandate is extended again), so be sure to stay tuned to AllEars for the latest!