CDC reportedly extending transportation mask mandate another 2 weeks


The federal government isn't ready to lift its transportation mask mandate just yet.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will extend a requirement that masks be worn on public transportation for another two weeks, The Associated Press and CNN reported Wednesday. The mandate affects planes, trains, buses, and transportation hubs.
This mandate was set to expire on April 18 after it was most recently extended for another month in March. At the time, the CDC said it would "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."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
But a Biden administration official told CNN the CDC is recommending the TSA extend the mandate again through May 3 to give the agency "additional time" to "learn more" about the BA.2 subvariant of COVID-19 and "make a best-informed decision."
Dr. Ashish Jha, the White House's coronavirus response coordinator, told NBC's Today earlier this week extending the travel mask mandate was "absolutely on the table," though he noted the decision was up to the CDC. At the same time, he told Today he wasn't "overly concerned" about BA.2 as some states see an uptick in cases.
"We've got to watch this very carefully," he said. "Obviously, I never like to see infections rising. I think we've got to be careful. But I don't think this is a moment where we have to be excessively concerned."
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Acid rain is back: the sequel nobody wanted
Under The Radar A 'forever chemical' in rainwater is reviving a largely forgotten environmental issue
-
Book reviews: 'Clint: The Man and the Movies' and 'What Is Wrong With Men: Patriarchy, the Crisis of Masculinity, and How (Of Course) Michael Douglas Films Explain Everything'
Feature A deep dive on Clint Eastwood and how Michael Douglas' roles reflect a shift in masculinity
-
Recreation or addiction? Military base slot machines rake in millions.
Under the Radar There are several thousand slot machines on military bases
-
Measles cases surge to 33-year high
Speed Read The infection was declared eliminated from the US in 2000 but has seen a resurgence amid vaccine hesitancy
-
Kennedy's vaccine panel signals skepticism, change
Speed Read RFK Jr.'s new vaccine advisory board intends to make changes to the decades-old US immunization system
-
Kennedy ousts entire CDC vaccine advisory panel
speed read Health Secretary RFK Jr. is a longtime anti-vaccine activist who has criticized the panel of experts
-
RFK Jr. scraps Covid shots for pregnant women, kids
Speed Read The Health Secretary announced a policy change without informing CDC officials
-
New FDA chiefs limit Covid-19 shots to elderly, sick
speed read The FDA set stricter approval standards for booster shots
-
US overdose deaths plunged 27% last year
speed read Drug overdose still 'remains the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18-44,' said the CDC
-
Trump seeks to cut drug prices via executive order
speed read The president's order tells pharmaceutical companies to lower prescription drug prices, but it will likely be thrown out by the courts
-
RFK Jr.: A new plan for sabotaging vaccines
Feature The Health Secretary announced changes to vaccine testing and asks Americans to 'do your own research'