MASK UP

TSA to Extend Public Transit Mask Mandate Through January

The agency confirmed the news to The Daily Beast.

The Transportation Security Administration will extend its mask mandate for public transportation, the agency confirmed to The Daily Beast. The mandate, which was originally supposed to expire on Sept. 13, will now run through Jan. 18, a spokesperson said. The move, which was first reported by Reuters, will require passengers to wear masks on planes, trains, buses, and other methods of commercial travel through the holiday season. It comes almost a month after the CDC recommended vaccinated individuals wear masks in areas of high COVID-19 transmission, which has grown significantly due to the Delta variant. It also follows Federal Aviation Administration reports from airlines of 2,867 passengers who refused to mask up, the agency told Reuters.

Airlines were informed of the plan Tuesday, with their unions set to be briefed on Wednesday. The White House referred The Daily Beast to the Department of Homeland Security for comment.