The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is extending its travel mask mandate for two weeks to monitor a spike in COVID-19 cases.
Driving the news: The transportation mask mandate, originally set to expire on April 18, is now in effect until May 3. The mandate applies to planes, buses, trains and transit hubs.
- "In order to assess the potential impact the rise of cases has on severe disease, including hospitalizations and deaths, and health care system capacity, the CDC Order will remain in place at this time," a CDC spokesperson said in a statement.
The TSA's requirement has drawn criticism from some people, including some U.S. senators who have said all mask mandates should be abandoned.
- Ashish Jha, the White House's new COVID-19 response coordinator, had said earlier this week the extension "is a CDC decision, and I think it is absolutely on the table."
State of play: COVID-19 cases have been rising in a number of states due to the spread of the Omicron subvariant BA.2.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with new details throughout.
