As CDC Guidance Shifts, Masks Remain Recommended for Travel
Last week, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated masks guidelines, saying fully vaccinated people do not need to wear masks outdoors and can avoid wearing them indoors in most places. According to Reuters, however, CDC officials still recommended all people - including those vaccinated - wear masks onboard airplanes, in airports and at other mass transit locations.
The CDC, Department of Transportation (DOT) and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) issued a joint statement. It reads:
"The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and the U.S. Department of Transportation remind the traveling public that at this time if you travel, you are still required to wear a mask on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States, and in U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and stations.
CDC guidance is clear that fully vaccinated people are safe to travel and can resume travel."
In support of these organizations, Airlines for America issued a statement in agreement that reads in part:
"CDC’s updated guidance continues to require that all travelers wear face masks on airplanes and at airports, and U.S. airlines will continue to work with the TSA and FAA to vigorously enforce the federal mandate.
The safety and wellbeing of passengers and employees is always the top priority of the U.S. airlines. Face coverings are a critical measure in our multi-layered approach to protecting the traveling public, which is why U.S. airlines have been vigorously enforcing face covering requirements since April 2020. The federal mask mandate is an additional layer of support, which strengthens our flight crews’ ability to enforce face covering requirements for the duration of the pandemic."
The CDC's new guidance, according to Reuters' report, says vaccinated Americans can resume all travel, do not need to quarantine after international trips and do not need to be tested for COVID-19 if exposed to someone who is COVID-19 positive but asymptomatic. Americans still face some international travel restrictions, including non-essential trips to Canada, according to the article.