Mask mandate for airports and airplanes extended through January 18, 2022
Masks are now mandatory in airports and planes until at least January 18, 2022.
Image: The Window Flyer
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UPDATE 2: The mask mandate at airports and on airplanes is no longer in effect as of April 18, 2022
UPDATE: TSA has extended the mandate through April 18, 2022. The original post below is shown as-is from its original publishing date. For the latest updates on the status of the federal mask mandate in airports and onboard airplanes, please see our other article: Do I still have to wear a mask on a plane if fully vaccinated?
On August 20, 2021, in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and recent surge of the Delta variant, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) extended its face mask mandate for public transportation through January 18, 2022. The requirement to wear a face covering includes moving through airports and flying onboard commercial aircraft. Regardless of vaccination status, all passengers must wear a mask.
A 2nd Extension
Friday’s announcement marks the second extension of the face mask requirement. Though virtually all airlines already had a mask mandate for passengers and crew, the mandate became federal law on February 2, 2021 with an initial expiration date of May 11. In the midst of the third wave of COVID-19 in the US, the mandate was extended on April 30th through the summer travel season, set to expire September 13, 2021. However, as the Delta variant continues to percolate throughout the United States and world, a further extension as we approached September seemed logical, inevitable, and in the best interests of public health. The latest extension makes masks mandatory on planes through the holiday season.
Do I need to wear a mask?
All travelers over the age of 2 must wear a face covering unless they qualify for an exemption for certain disabilities. As a federal law, civil penalty fines may be incurred by travelers refusing to mask up.
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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.
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