Face coverings will be required on public transit vehicles and transportation hubs through May 3, 2022, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) said. The current mandate was set to expire on April 18.
This is the fifth extension of the rule since it first went into effect in February 2021.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says the United States has seen an increase in the seven-day moving average of COVID-19 cases since April 2022. CDC adds it is paying close attention to a subvariant of the Omicron COVID-19 variant known as BA.2, which makes up more than 85 percent of U.S. cases.
“During the 15-day extension period, CDC will assess the potential impact the recent rise of COVID-19 cases has on severe disease, including hospitalizations, deaths and healthcare system capacity,” a statement announcing the extension read.
TSA says it will continue to coordinate closely with CDC and communicate any changes to this requirement with the public.
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.
