The Biden Administration has extended up to May 03, 2022, the nationwide mask mandate, with which commuters in all forms of public transportation must comply. Citing the need to continue monitoring observable surges in cases of infection still happening in several areas across the country, the original April 18 expiration has been extended to prevent further spread as millions commute via public transport.

State AGs File Lawsuit Against Mask Mandate Extension

President Biden has been facing backlash for extending the mandate that requires everyone traveling by way of public bus, train or airplane, to wear a protective face covering, despite the lifting of such requirement in all states.

As a matter of fact, several state attorneys general from different jurisdictions, collectively filed a lawsuit that aims to block the extension of the nationwide public transpo mask mandates. The petition filed by the state attorneys general is in support of a lawsuit filed by a group of flight attendants, who have been fighting the federal government’s nationewide public transport mask mandate.

The CDC Disclosed a Related New Level 4 Travel Destination Restriction

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) asserted the need to maintain an abundance of caution, while the President and members of the Biden administration are still working out a flexible masking strategy as replacement for the current nationwide mask mandate.

In addition, the CDC also disclosed that the agency’s new Travel Health Notice system for international travel destinations will reserve a Level 4 travel restriction. The said restriction will be in effect for special conditions such as rapidly escalating cases, extremely high numbers of active cases, emergence of a new coronavirus variant concern, or actual collapse of healthcare infrastructure systems.