U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday (Dec. 2) announced an extension of the Transportation Security Administration’s mandate, which requires travellers to mask up on aeroplanes, trains, buses and in airports and train stations, through March 18. This will be the third extension since the mandate was first implemented on Feb. 1.
The extension was announced Thursday as part of the Biden administration’s plan to combat the spread of the virus this winter.
Travellers who refuse to wear masks may face fines ranging from a minimum of $500 to $3,000 for repeat offenders, although the mandate does carve out exemptions for travellers under the age of 2 and people with certain disabilities.
On Wednesday, California health officials detected the first case of the omicron variant within U.S. borders.
The mask mandate extension is another way the Biden administration is working to curb the spread of COVID-19 through updated travel restrictions.