Yes, for the most part.
Travelers still need to bring and wear masks at airports, trains, and bus depots – and many hotels, restaurants, and venues. It may not be for much longer, though, as mask and distancing restrictions are being removed or relaxed in more and more locations and many public figures are seeking to remove the federal mask requirements from public transportation.
Starting back in 2021…
Since February 1, 2021, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has enforced a federal mandate that requires masks to be worn on all public transportation. The rule was originally set to expire May 11, 2021. As the surge of COVID-19 progressed, officials decided to extend the mandate until September 13, 2021, then to January 18, 2022, and next to March 18, 2022.
TSA pushed the mask rule out yet again before it could expire this month. It is currently in place through April 18, 2022. They are working with the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) “to help inform a revised policy framework for when, and under what circumstances, masks should be required in the public transportation corridor.”
While travel restrictions around the globe started to disappear over the last few weeks, it’s no secret that COVID-19 has become a part of our daily lives. The CDC told most healthy Americans they can leave their masks at home in public spaces, but certain facilities like airports, hospitals, and clinics are still requiring visitors to wear a mask indoors. It might be difficult to figure out whether or not you actually need a face covering – especially because government officials and industry leaders are pressing the Biden Administration to lift the mandate on public transportation for a variety of reasons associated with the status of the pandemic.
In the latest actions towards the rule…
Major U.S. airlines, including United, Delta, and American, spoke up in a letter to the White House on March 23, 2022. Their CEOs signed the document urging President Biden to drop the rule as some flight passengers continue to respond with violence. More than 600 outbursts related to face coverings have been reported by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) so far this year.
A group of 10 pilots employed by American, Southwest, and JetBlue also came forward in a lawsuit against the CDC, where they describe the mandate as an “illegal and unconstitutional exercise of executive authority”.
The Senate voted 57-40 in effort to overturn mask restrictions for travelers on March 18, 2022. President Biden committed to veto this decision if it passes the House of Representatives.
Meanwhile, the U.S. government has begun to allow members of Congress to go maskless on the job. Face coverings were made optional by Brian Monahan, Congress’ attending physician, in a memo on February 27, 2022. Many officials who attended the State of the Union address on March 1, 2022, came without masks for President Biden’s speech.
“With 75 percent of adult Americans fully vaccinated and hospitalizations down by 77 percent, most Americans can remove their masks…and move forward safely,” said President Biden during the State of the Union.
State and local governments…
In response to this announcement, state and local governments have thrown out additional pandemic restrictions for their residents.
Governors of all 50 states plan to do away with mask rules by the end of the month. Hawaii, the final state to lift their mandate, will let go of masks on March 26, 2022.
Cities such as Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles stopped enforcing masks in restaurants, gyms, venues, and other businesses. New York City threw out rules for both masks and vaccines, including those in K-12 schools. Face coverings are still recommended in areas where COVID-19 is causing a ‘high’ threat to hospitals.
Although these rules continue to vanish, the U.S. government does require those entering or returning to the country to present a negative COVID-19 test (administered within 24 hours of departure) at the airport before their flight.
Wondering what else you should know for your next trip?
Check out our previous blog post (linked here) to stay up-to-date on the travel restrictions – or lack thereof – in popular destinations throughout the world.
