Do I still have to wear a mask on a plane if fully vaccinated?
Masks are federally mandated in the United States on airplanes and in airports through April 18, 2022.
Image: The Window Flyer
ADVERTISEMENT
On May 13, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released new guidance for mask wearing for people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The new guidance advises that fully vaccinated people can now resume activities without wearing a mask except where required by laws, regulations, and business guidance.
As more and more people hop back on flights and travel again, what does this mean for wearing a mask on an airplane? Can you board a plane and fly without a mask if you are fully vaccinated, or are they still mandatory?
Masks mandatory on planes, even if fully vaccinated
Despite the new CDC guidance, mask wearing will still be mandatory by US federal law at airports and on board airplanes, and probably for good reason due to the proximity of passengers on board an airplane. With airlines flying fuller and fuller planes these days, without any middle seat blocking, chances are you will have someone sitting immediately next to you, just 18 inches away from your face. Furthermore, it would be difficult to implement and enforce a split rule as it would be impossible to validate which passengers are or aren’t fully vaccinated yet.
Masks required through April 18, 2022
But what about later? Will I be able to fly this summer for my vacation without a mask? Barring any rule change, the answer is no. Airlines have pretty much been universally requiring passengers to wear masks since the early days of the pandemic a year ago. The mask requirement on board airplanes would go on to officially become a federal mandate on February 2, 2021, with the rule applying to airplanes as well as the entire transportation system, which includes airport terminals.
The requirement had originally been set to expire on May 11, but was extended by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) on April 30, through September 13, 2021. The mandate was extended again on August 20, through January 18, 2022 in light of the recent surge of the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
On December 2, 2021, TSA’s mask mandate was bumped by another 2 months in response to the new Omicron COVID variant. Masks and facial coverings are now mandatory in airports and airplanes until at least March 18, 2022. Fines for non-compliance in this latest extension have also been doubled.
Another extension was announced on March 10, 2022, that extends the masks-on-planes (and in airports and other forms of public transportation) until April 18, 2022.
Violators of the rule are now subject to a minimum $500 civil penalty fine, which rises to $3,000 for repeat offenders.
With the latest guidance from the CDC regarding mask wearing, the light is certainly at the end of the tunnel and things are beginning to return to normal. In due time, the mask mandate on airplanes should be lifted, so for all you travelers – continue to be patient, and continue to mask up while flying.
Liked this article? Please be sure to share with friends, family, and colleagues!
Also Read: If you’re thinking about flying soon, be sure to also check out our article regarding how much hand sanitizer you can bring on board an airplane during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Related Content
