According to AP, the mask-waving rule allows people to decide for themselves whether or not to wear a mask. Currently, some airlines have announced that they will gradually eliminate masks. Meanwhile, the public transportation system in New York still maintains the old rule.
The Association of Flight Attendants, the largest union of flight attendants in the United States, has taken a neutral stance on the new mask-removal rule. The organization is divided internally by many different opinions. On April 19, Sara Nelson, the union's president, offered a reassuring statement to calm the situation.
"We will do our best to communicate and disseminate information as clearly and coherently as possible," said Sara Nelson.
Nelson said it takes 24 to 48 hours for airlines to update their procedures and then notify all employees, so passengers should check the information and travel requirements carefully before departure.
Airlines in the US are gradually removing the mask wearing rule.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has extended the mask mandate until May 3. 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, representative of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), said that they will continue to follow the CDC regulations until further notice. The MTA, which operates all bus routes, subways, and two light rail lines, has been requiring masks since the first days of Covid-19.
Passengers are required to wear masks when using public transport in New York.
On the other hand, United Airlines announced that it would drop the mask rule on domestic flights and some international flights.
"While the CDC recommends wearing masks in public, our employees and customers are free to wear masks or not," United said.
Delta Airlines and Alaska Airlines have also dropped their mask mandates, with airline representatives arguing that air filtration systems on modern planes make it difficult for the Covid-19 virus to spread.
