CDC extending mask mandate for another 2 weeks
Editor's Note
The federal mask mandate on public transportation will be extended by at least two weeks, a spokesperson for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed to TPG on Wednesday. The news was first reported by the Associated Press.
For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.
Masks will continue to be universally required on trains, buses, taxis and airplanes and at airports — at least for now. The two-week extension means the federal mandate will carry through at least May 3. It was previously set to expire on April 18.
The order is being extended so the government can continue “to assess the potential impact the rise of cases has on severe disease, including hospitalizations and deaths, and health care system capacity,” the CDC spokesperson said.
Cases have been slowly ticking up in some parts of the country in recent weeks as the BA.2 omicron subvariant of COVID-19 spreads. The city of Philadelphia just reimposed an indoor mask mandate due to an accelerating rate of new cases, becoming the first major U.S. city to reimpose some restrictions.
The mandate was previously set to expire in January but was extended a few times, once in March due to the surge in COVID-19 cases caused by the omicron variant. It was further extended for one month through April 18, with the CDC saying it would use the time to develop the new guidelines.
Cases of COVID-19 are climbing in parts of Europe and Asia, driven by the BA.2 omicron subvariant, and experts see similar trends in the U.S., although most say a new wave would likely not be as severe as the omicron surge this winter. Countries where cases are climbing are among those that have lifted various requirements for travelers.
The U.S. overall has seen a 14-day change trend in average number of cases climb by 8% over the past two weeks, according to a COVID-19 data dashboard compiled by The New York Times, with much of that increase coming in the Northeast.
The CDC did not immediately on Wednesday issue new guidelines for when a public transit mask mandate should and should not be imposed. The agency said last month that it was working on a framework that it plans to release by the time the current extension of the mask mandate expires.
There was no word on Wednesday about whether or not predeparture testing will be lifted, meaning travelers to the U.S. will continue to need to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within one day of departure to the U.S.
In late February, the CDC issued new guidance setting benchmarks to allow communities to loosen mask mandates. Every state has since lifted most requirements for face coverings.
Airline CEOs and trade groups have lobbied hard to get both the mask mandate and testing requirements lifted in order to encourage the rebound of travel.
In March, the U.S. Senate passed a resolution to end the federal mask mandate on public transportation. The resolution passed 57-40, with eight Democrats voting in favor, and one Republican voting in opposition. The resolution was expected to stall in the House of Representatives.
Additional reporting by Clint Henderson.
Top offers from our partners
How we chose these cards
TPG featured card
Rewards
10X | Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel |
5X | 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel. |
2X | 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
The Capital One Venture X card is one of the best all-round travel credit cards ever launched. Not only is it offering a tremendous welcome bonus, but cardholders can earn tons of miles on everyday spending and receive a 10,000-mile anniversary bonus to boot. Its annual fee is $395, but cardholders can count on up to $300 in statement credits toward travel booked through Capital One Travel each year and other valuable benefits like access to Priority Pass lounges and Capital One’s own growing family of airport lounges.Pros
- Excellent welcome offer worth 75,000 miles after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months.
- Up to $300 in annual travel statement credits toward bookings make through Capital One Travel.
- 10,000 bonus miles (worth $100 toward travel) each account anniversary.
Cons
- The $395 annual fee might be expensive for some, but this card’s benefits provide much more value than that.
- If you don’t travel frequently, this might not be the best card for you.
- Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
- Receive up to $300 back annually as statement credits for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of options
- Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
- Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
- Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
- Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Named editors' choice for "Best New Credit Card of 2021" by The Points Guy
- Earn 10 miles per dollar when you book on Turo, the world's largest car sharing marketplace, through May 16, 2023
Rewards Rate
10X | Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel |
5X | 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel. |
2X | 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day |
Intro Offer
Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel75,000 bonus milesAnnual Fee
$395Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.740-850Excellent
Why We Chose It
The Capital One Venture X card is one of the best all-round travel credit cards ever launched. Not only is it offering a tremendous welcome bonus, but cardholders can earn tons of miles on everyday spending and receive a 10,000-mile anniversary bonus to boot. Its annual fee is $395, but cardholders can count on up to $300 in statement credits toward travel booked through Capital One Travel each year and other valuable benefits like access to Priority Pass lounges and Capital One’s own growing family of airport lounges.Pros
- Excellent welcome offer worth 75,000 miles after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months.
- Up to $300 in annual travel statement credits toward bookings make through Capital One Travel.
- 10,000 bonus miles (worth $100 toward travel) each account anniversary.
Cons
- The $395 annual fee might be expensive for some, but this card’s benefits provide much more value than that.
- If you don’t travel frequently, this might not be the best card for you.
- Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
- Receive up to $300 back annually as statement credits for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of options
- Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
- Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
- Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
- Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Named editors' choice for "Best New Credit Card of 2021" by The Points Guy
- Earn 10 miles per dollar when you book on Turo, the world's largest car sharing marketplace, through May 16, 2023