Airport, Airplane Mask Mandate Extended To March 18, 2022.
BY: TRAVEL DESK | BocaNewsNow.com
BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2021 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — All area airports are reminding travelers — or anyone planning to travel over the holidays — that masks are not a request. They’re a federal mandate.
Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport, Palm Beach International, and Miami International have all sent some type of message, tweet, post or similar over the past day to remind passengers that masks are a federal requirement. The reminders come as the Transportation Security Administration extends the federal mask mandate through March 18th, 2022.
The TSA issued this statement:
“Following the President’s order and announcement regarding efforts to combat the Omicron variant, TSA, in conjunction with the CDC, will extend the face mask requirement for individuals across all transportation networks throughout the United States, including at airports, onboard commercial aircraft, on over-the-road buses, and on commuter bus and rail systems through March 18, 2022. TSA Administrator David Pekoske has said frequently the combination of vaccinations and face masks work and are highly effective in terms of slowing the spread of the virus in the transportation system, and they make travel safer for everyone. More details about the extension will be available soon.”
All three airports have “ambassadors” reminding passengers that masks must remain over your mouth and nose. You may pull it down while you drink or eat, replacing it after each bite or sip. Law enforcement is also prepared to step in if the ambassadors are ignored.
Airlines continue to enforce the mandate while in the air. Violating a mask order from a flight crew is a federal offense which may result in fines, a ban from air travel, even prison. BocaNewsNow.com documented Broward Sheriff’s Deputies, and a federal agent, meeting an American Airlines flier in May when he allegedly refused to wear a mask on board a plane.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ anti-mask policies have no effect in airports, bus, or train terminals — all fall under federal jurisdiction.
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