Airport Alert: Face Masks Required in Airports Through September 13, 2021

April 30, 2021

TSA informed AAAE that they will be extending the requirement for individuals to wear face masks in airports as outlined by Security Directive (SD) 1542-21-01A until September 13, 2021, at the direction of the White House COVID-19 Task Force. Other than the date change — from May 11 to September 13 — TSA stated that there will be no other substantial changes to the SD. 

This extension applies to individuals across all transportation networks throughout the United States, including at airports, onboard commercial aircraft, on over-the-road buses, and on commuter bus and rail systems. The extension is designed to help minimize the spread of COVID-19. 

When asked whether fully vaccinated people working in airports will still be required to wear face masks outdoors, TSA stated that they would. While earlier this week the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that fully vaccinated people were not required to wear masks outside as long as they were not at crowded outdoor events, TSA explained this afternoon that this was only CDC guidance. TSA must enforce the mask mandate as outlined in the original CDC Order that went into effect on February 1, 2021. For this change to occur, CDC must update its original Order. If and when it does so, TSA will then make the applicable changes to their SD. 

An additional question was asked about the ability to remove masks while working in hot and humid weather. TSA replied that the SD allows for exemptions for airport and airline operators, as well as foreign air carriers, regarding individuals for whom wearing a mask would create a risk to workplace health, safety, or job duty as determined by the relevant workplace safety guidelines or federal regulations. TSA encouraged those working in a setting where masks could increase the risk of heat illness or cause safety concerns, to discuss this with an occupational safety and health professional. For more information, see What Workers Need to Know about Heat Stress Prevention during the COVID-19 Pandemic. This information has been updated in the FAQs on HSIN. 

If you have additional questions regarding the face mask order, they should be directed to CDC.