Mask requirement for passengers on planes, buses, railroads in US extended
May 1, 2021, 9:16 am

Mask requirement for passengers on planes, buses, railroads in US extended

People depart a Boeing 737 Max airplane at Dallas Fort Worth Airport following a media flight to Tulsa, Oklahoma, in Dallas, Texas, U.S., December 2, 2020. (Reuters)

Passengers on airplanes, buses and railroads in the U.S. will have to keep wearing masks to guard against the spread of Covid-19 as federal officials extended a mandate that was set to expire within days through the busy summer travel season.

The Transportation Security Administration on Friday announced it was extending the mandate through Sept. 13. The move is in step with the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which still advises face coverings to limit the spread of the coronavirus in crowded indoor spaces, even for people who have been vaccinated.

The federal mask requirement throughout the transportation system seeks to minimize the spread of Covid-19 on public transportation, Darby LaJoye, the TSA’s acting administrator, said in a press release. “Right now, about half of all adults have at least one vaccination shot and masks remain an important tool in defeating this pandemic.

The mask mandate, which went into effect on Feb. 1 and had been set to expire on May 11, is a signature of President Joe Biden’s administration. Agencies under former President Donald Trump had recommended masks, but there was no requirement. The mandate, unpopular with some Americans, has at times led to civil fines for violators.

The extension was applauded by the Airports Council International-North America trade group and the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA union.

“Leadership is everything, Sara Nelson, president of the flight-attendants union, said in an emailed statement. “We’ve made tremendous efforts to get the pandemic under control, but we’re not quite there yet. Continuing the TSA enforcement directive for the CDC transportation mask mandate will keep passengers and aviation workers safe.

The CDC now says people who have been vaccinated can safely travel within the U.S., but suggests wearing masks and taking other precautions.

Biden on Tuesday announced relaxed guidelines that would allow people who are vaccinated to not wear masks in outdoor settings with large crowds, but said masks should still be used in some indoor conditions.

The TSA rule doesn’t apply to those under the age of 2 or with certain disabilities, the agency said. People who violate the requirement can be fined $250. Penalties rise to $1,500 for repeat violators.

The Federal Aviation Administration has sought fines above $10,000 in several mask-related cases under federal laws requiring passengers to follow the instructions of flight crews and barring assaults on crews.

source: Bloomberg

Image source: Reuters

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”