Airport Alert: TSA and DOT Issue Joint Statement on Continued Mask Mandate for Transportation
May 14, 2021
CDC, TSA and DOT issued a joint statement this evening to clarify that mask requirements remain in place for airports, air carriers, and surface transportation. The agencies released the statement to raise awareness for the general public in light of recent guidance from the CDC relaxing mask usage in certain situations for fully vaccinated individuals.
The joint statement 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.
AAAE staff participated in a conference call with CDC, TSA and DOT this morning regarding the recent guidance and its impact on transportation. TSA indicated that the recently extended Security Directive (SD) requiring masks on and in airports will remain in effect until September 13, 2021. At this time, TSA does not plan to amend the SD language unless CDC amends its Order requiring face masks on transportation conveyances and in transportation hubs.
However, TSA did indicate that they are working to update the Frequently Asked Questions to reflect the recent CDC guidance for vaccinated individuals. AAAE, along with ACI-NA and A4A, urged CDC and TSA to allow for additional flexibility for vaccinated aviation employees working outside and in non-public areas of the airport. CDC and TSA indicated that there are on-going discussions regarding mask requirements in those situations.
CDC, TSA and DOT issued a joint statement this evening to clarify that mask requirements remain in place for airports, air carriers, and surface transportation. The agencies released the statement to raise awareness for the general public in light of recent guidance from the CDC relaxing mask usage in certain situations for fully vaccinated individuals.
The joint statement 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.
AAAE staff participated in a conference call with CDC, TSA and DOT this morning regarding the recent guidance and its impact on transportation. TSA indicated that the recently extended Security Directive (SD) requiring masks on and in airports will remain in effect until September 13, 2021. At this time, TSA does not plan to amend the SD language unless CDC amends its Order requiring face masks on transportation conveyances and in transportation hubs.
However, TSA did indicate that they are working to update the Frequently Asked Questions to reflect the recent CDC guidance for vaccinated individuals. AAAE, along with ACI-NA and A4A, urged CDC and TSA to allow for additional flexibility for vaccinated aviation employees working outside and in non-public areas of the airport. CDC and TSA indicated that there are on-going discussions regarding mask requirements in those situations.
