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According to AP, the ban on masks allows people to decide whether or not to wear them. Currently, some airlines have announced they will gradually phase out masks. Meanwhile, the public transportation system in New York City still maintains the old regulations.
The Flight Attendants Association, the largest flight attendant union in the United States, has taken a neutral stance on the new mask-free policy. The organization is internally divided by differing opinions. On April 19th, Sara Nelson, the union's president, offered reassurances to calm the situation.
"We will do our utmost to communicate and disseminate information as clearly and coherently as possible," said Sara Nelson.
Nelson suggests that airlines need 24 to 48 hours to update new procedures and then notify all staff. Therefore, passengers should carefully check the information and travel requirements before departure.
Airlines in the US are gradually waiving mask-wearing requirements.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has extended the mask mandate until May 3rd. The organization wants more time to study the BA.2 omicron variant.
Currently, most public transportation services in New York require passengers to wear masks. Tim Minton, a representative of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), stated that they will continue to follow the CDC's regulations until further notice. The MTA is responsible for operating all bus routes, subways, and two metropolitan rail lines. They have implemented mask mandates since the early days of COVID-19.
Passengers are required to wear face masks when using public transportation in New York.
On the other hand, United Airlines announced it was dropping its mask requirement on domestic flights and some international flights.
"While the CDC recommends wearing masks in public, our employees and passengers are free to wear masks or not," United said.
In addition, Delta Airlines and Alaska Airlines have also dropped their mandatory mask-wearing rules. Airlines representatives argue that the air filtration systems in modern aircraft make it difficult for the Covid-19 virus to spread.
