The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention restates recommendation for masks on planes

New York – Despite a court ruling last month that struck down a national mask mandate on public transportation, on Tuesday, U.S. health officials restated their recommendation that Americans wear masks on planes, trains, and buses.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, recommended Americans age 2 and older should wear well-fitting masks while on public transportation, including in airports and train stations, citing the current spread of coronavirus and projections of future COVID-19 trends.

“Additionally, it is important for all of us to protect not only ourselves but also to be considerate of others at increased risk for severe COVID-19 and those who are not yet able to be vaccinated. Wearing a mask in indoor public transportation settings will provide protection for the individual and the community,” CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky said.

For months, the Transportation Security Administration had been enforcing a requirement that passengers and workers wear masks. The government had repeatedly extended the mandate, and the latest one had been set to expire on May 3. But a federal judge in Florida struck down the rule on April 18. The same day, the TSA said it would no longer enforce the mandate.

The CDC asked the Justice Department to appeal the decision, which the department did. On Tuesday, CDC officials declined to comment on the status of the appeal.