US Public Transportation Mask Mandate Extended Until January Next Year

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The United States has decided to extend the order mandating mask-wearing on public transportation until January 18 next year.

Major U.S. airlines were informed of this on the 17th (local time) by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), according to foreign media citing anonymous sources.

The mask mandate on public transportation was originally scheduled to end on the 13th of next month. CNBC explained that the extension of the deadline by about four months reflects the federal government's projection that the spread of COVID-19 will continue for a long time.

The Joe Biden administration, shortly after taking office in January, mandated that passengers on airplanes, trains, subways, buses, taxis, ships, and ride-sharing vehicles must wear masks. This mandate also applied to airports, bus stops, piers, train and subway stations before and after boarding.

The U.S. aviation industry has faced conflicts with passengers refusing to wear masks on flights. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), 74% (2,867) of the 3,889 unruly passengers on flights this year were cases of mask refusal.

The Association of Flight Attendants (AFA), representing about 50,000 flight attendants working for 17 U.S. airlines, welcomed the extension of the mask mandate.

Sarah Nelson, president of the AFA, said in a statement, "With increased air travel demand due to vaccinations, the slow vaccination rate and the spread of the Delta variant have intensified the spread," adding, "The extension of the mask mandate will play a significant role in protecting the safety of passengers and crew."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.