Bipartisan senators seek updated public transportation travel, mask guidance

A group of lawmakers recently forwarded correspondence to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) regarding travel and mask guidance updates.

U.S. Sens. Jerry Moran (R-KS), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Susan Collins (R-ME) initiated the letter to gain greater clarity on when and how the agencies will update their travel guidance for vaccinated individuals.

“As there has not yet been any change in the requirement for masks while traveling, we request an update on the CDC’s and TSA’s process for updating the mask requirement for fully vaccinated individuals and what the science is showing about the transmission of COVID-19 for fully vaccinated individuals while traveling,” the legislators wrote.

The correspondence included a series of questions, including – what the CDC has learned about the transmission of COVID-19 on airplanes and other forms of transportation for fully vaccinated individuals; what are additional factors beyond how COVID-19 spreads, such as the impact on flight attendants or airline operations, informing the mask requirement for travel; would removing the mask requirement for travel for fully vaccinated people encourage vaccination against COVID-19; and what steps have been taken by the CDC, TSA and other relevant federal agencies to update the travel guidance and mask requirement.

The legislators have requested answers to their questions no later than July 12, 2021.