[ad_1]
A mask mandate in place for people visiting U.S. airports has been extended through Jan. 18, 2022, according to a statement on Tuesday from the Transportation Security Administration.
The mandate covers airports, as well as buses, trains and shuttle buses connected to airports, and all public buses, trains, subways and ferries, Sari Koshetz, a spokeswoman for the T.S.A. said.
The goal of the directive is to minimize the spread of Covid-19 on public transportation, she said.
This is not the first time the T.S.A. has extended its mask mandate. The T.S.A. initially put a mask mandate in place back on Feb. 1, with an expiration date scheduled for May 11. In April, that mandate was extended to Sept. 13.
Travelers under the age of 2 are exempt from the mask requirement, as are people with certain disabilities, Ms. Koshetz said. Penalties for violating the mandate start at $250 and go up to $1,500 for repeat offenders, she said.
As of Tuesday, more than 9,200 T.S.A. employees have tested positive for the coronavirus, and 20 have died, along with one screening contractor, according to Ms. Koshetz.
[ad_2]
