Mask Mandate for Federal Public Transportation is Extended
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Wednesday the mask mandate for federal public transportation will be extended through May 3.
The federal mask mandate, initially set to expire on April 18, applies to airports and airplanes, trains and train terminals, buses and bus terminals, and other forms of public transit.
“Since early April there have been increases in the seven-day moving average of cases in the U.S. 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,” said a spokesperson from the CDC in a statement to CNN.
The official added that the additional time will give the CDC the ability to learn more about the BA.2 variant, which currently accounts for about 30,000 positive COVID-19 cases per day.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was also the first city in the U.S. to reinstate an indoor mask mandate. Starting April 18, masks will be required in public indoor spaces, including schools, businesses, museums, restaurants, offices and government buildings, according to an announcement made by the Department of Public Health on Monday.
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