air travel

The CDC continues to assess public health conditions, and if the agency determines a mandate is necessary, the Justice Department will file an appeal.

TSA says it will no longer enforce the mandate after a Tampa-based judge's ruling. It didn't take long for major airlines to switch to a mask-optional policy, with some passengers cheering when the change was announced midfight.

The decision was made in response to the increasing spread of the omicron subvariant and an increase in the seven-day moving average of cases, which have risen by around 25% over the last two weeks.

The mandate, which was to expire Monday, will continue through May 3 to monitor for any observable increase in severe virus outcomes as cases rise in parts of the country.

The legislation would prevent TSA from requiring passengers on airplanes to wear masks to protect against the spread of COVID-19.

The lawsuit contends, in part, the CDC overstepped its legal authority in requiring masks for travelers while violating states’ “quasi-sovereign interests in the health, safety, and welfare of their citizens."

The monthlong extension comes as the CDC said it would work on a "revised policy framework for when, and under what circumstances, masks should be required in the public transportation corridor."

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the president's chief science adviser on pandemic response, says such a requirement might drive up the lagging U.S. vaccination rate as well as confer stronger protection on flights.

The rapid emergence of the omicron variant of the coronavirus has many questioning whether they should rethink their holiday travel plans.

President Joe Biden has extended mask requirements and imposed new travel restrictions on international travelers as the omicron variant of COVID-19 spreads.