Travel

The CDC Still Recommends You Wear a Mask on Planes and Trains

Last month, a federal judge in Florida struck down a government requirement for masking in public transportation. The Justice Department is appealing the decision. 

File photo
Adene Sanchez | E+ | Getty Images

U.S. health officials on Tuesday restated their recommendation that Americans wear masks on planes, trains and buses, despite a court ruling last month that struck down a national mask mandate on public transportation.

Americans age 2 and older should wear a well-fitting masks while on public transportation, including in airports and train stations, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended, citing the current spread of coronavirus and projections of future COVID-19 trends.

For months, the Transportation Security Administration had been enforcing a requirement that passengers and workers wear masks.

The government had repeatedly extended the mandate, and the latest one had been set to expire May 3. But a federal judge in Florida struck down the rule on April 18. The same day, the TSA said it would no longer enforce the mandate.

The CDC asked the Justice Department to appeal the decision, which the department did. On Tuesday, CDC officials declined to comment on the status of the appeal. DOJ officials did not immediately respond to a request for information.

Many travelers rejoiced when mask mandates were abruptly lifted on airplanes and other transportation systems around the country by a federal judge on Monday. But don’t leave that mask at home when you travel just yet, advises Dr. John Torres.

___

The Associated Press Health & Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

Copyright The Associated Press
Contact Us