TSA officially extends mask mandate on airplanes, public transport and passenger rail until January 2022
On Aug. 20, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) published an updated security directive that extends the requirement for passengers and employees on airplanes, public transportation and intercity surface transportation to wear face masks through Jan. 18, 2022.
The initial requirement for face masks went into effect Feb. 1 following President Joe Biden’s Executive Order “Promoting COVID-19 Safety in Domestic and International Travel.” The original directive’s expiration of May 11 was extended to Sept. 13, 2021, and will now remain in place through mid-January 2022.
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) updated its information page on the requirement and explained that while the date of enforcement has been extended, all other aspects of the security directive remain in place including exemptions and civil penalties.
The TSA’s updated security directive can be found here and the FTA’s information page on the requirement can be found here.
Mischa Wanek-Libman | Group Editorial Director
Mischa Wanek-Libman is director of communications with Transdev North America. She has more than 20 years of experience working in the transportation industry covering construction projects, engineering challenges, transit and rail operations and best practices.
Wanek-Libman has held top editorial positions at freight rail and public transportation business-to-business publications including as editor-in-chief and editorial director of Mass Transit from 2018-2024. She has been recognized for editorial excellence through her individual work, as well as for collaborative content.
She is an active member of the American Public Transportation Association's Marketing and Communications Committee and served 14 years as a Board Observer on the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) Board of Directors.
She is a graduate of Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Mass Communication.
