Airline CEOs ask White House to drop transportation mask mandates

Will the White House change its stance on mask requirements on transportation? The CEOs of 10 airlines and cargo carriers hope so.

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The industry group Airlines for America sent the Biden administration a letter requesting the end of transportation mask mandates and testing requirements for international travelers, CNN reported.

>>Related: Group of airline pilots file suit against CDC, HHS over mask mandate

The group wrote: “now is the time for the Administration to sunset federal transportation travel restrictions — including the international predeparture testing requirement and the federal mask mandate — that are no longer aligned with the realities of the current epidemiological environment,” according to CNN.

The CEOs of companies such as Delta, American and United, wrote that while the airlines and employees supported the mandates at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, they feel it isn’t necessary now, CBS News reported.

“The persistent and steady decline of hospitalization and death rates are the most compelling indicators that our country is well protected against severe disease from Covid-19,” they wrote, according to The New York Times.

>>Related: Airplane, public transportation COVID-19 mask mandates extended

The transportation mask mandate was set to expire in March but the date was been moved last month to April 18. However, it could expire sooner or be brought back after consultation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CNN reported.

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