NewsCoronavirus

Actions

TSA to extend mask mandate for planes and public transportation until April 18, reports say

COVID-19 masks airport
Posted
and last updated

The Transportation Security Administration will extend a rule that requires travelers to wear masks on planes to prevent the spread of COVID-19 until April 18, NBC News and Bloomberg report.

The mask mandate was slated to expire on March 18.

The reports come as many states roll back COVID-19 restrictions and mask mandates as case rates and hospitalizations plummet.

Last month, a union representing thousands of flight attendants said they expected the TSA to extend the mask mandate. Their statement noted that masks would help protect children younger than five — who currently are not eligible for vaccination — and immunocompromised flight attendants.

President Joe Biden imposed the federal mask mandate on airplanes upon taking office in 2021. Since then, the TSA has reported a disturbing spike in unruly passenger incidents, many of them linked to travelers' refusal to wear masks.

This story is breaking and will be updated.

Bakersfield, CA

Weather

Daily Forecast

View Hourly Forecast

Day

Conditions

HI / LO

Precip

TuesdayTue

08/11/2026

Mostly Sunny

103° / 78°

1%

WednesdayWed

08/12/2026

Partly Cloudy

100° / 71°

3%

ThursdayThu

08/13/2026

Sunny

95° / 66°

0%

FridayFri

08/14/2026

Sunny

93° / 66°

0%

SaturdaySat

08/15/2026

Sunny

95° / 68°

0%

SundaySun

08/16/2026

Sunny

98° / 69°

0%

MondayMon

08/17/2026

Partly Cloudy

94° / 68°

0%

TuesdayTue

08/18/2026

Partly Cloudy

95° / 67°

0%