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MASK EXTENSION. Advisory signs about face masks and
social-distancing are seen at Gate 41 of Terminal 4 of the Los
Angeles International Airport on April 9, 2021 in Los Angeles.
The Transportation Security Administration has extended its mask
requirement, which applies to airports, train stations, busses,
and other modes of transportation, through September 13. (Kirby
Lee via AP)
From The Asian Reporter, V31, #5 (May 3, 2021), page 17.
U.S. extends face-mask requirement on planes
until September 13
WASHINGTON (AP) — If you’re travelling on a plane, train, or
bus, don’t put that face mask away yet.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has extended
its mask requirement, which also applies in airports and train
stations, through September 13. The rule took effect February 1
and was set to expire May 11.
The agency said that children up to age two and people with
certain disabilities will continue to be exempted from the mask
rule.
Violations can carry fines of up to $1,500 for repeat
offenders.
Separately, a spokeswoman for the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) said it will continue its zero-tolerance
policy against disruptive airline passengers as long as the TSA
mask rule is in effect. The FAA is seeking much larger civil
penalties — some topping $30,000 — against a small number of
passengers that it accuses of interfering with airline crews.
TSA officials said the mask rule matches health guidance from
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC
recently said that fully vaccinated people can travel safely,
but it still recommends that they wear masks and maintain
distance from other people. About 100 million Americans, roughly
half the nation’s adults, have been fully immunized against
COVID-19.
Airlines and their unions had pushed for an extension of the
federal mask rule as a stronger alternative to airline-imposed
rules.
"Continuing the TSA enforcement directive for the CDC
transportation mask mandate will keep passengers and aviation
workers safe," said Sara Nelson, president of the Association of
Flight Attendants. |
