U.S. airline CEOs urge Biden to lift COVID mask mandate -letter
By David Shepardson
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The chief executives of American Airways, United Airways, Delta Air Traces and different carriers on Wednesday urged U.S. President Joe Biden to finish a federal masks mandate on airplanes and worldwide pre-departure testing necessities.
The airline executives, together with the chairman of Southwest Airways and JetBlue’s CEO, stated in a letter the restrictions “are not aligned with the realities of the present epidemiological atmosphere.”
The Biden administration this month opted to increase present COVID-19 masks necessities at airports, practice stations, trip share automobiles and different transit modes by way of April 18. The order was set to run out on March 18.
“It is unnecessary that individuals are nonetheless required to put on masks on airplanes, but are allowed to congregate in
crowded eating places, faculties and at sporting occasions with out masks, regardless of none of those venues having the protecting air filtration system that plane do,” the airline letter stated.
The White Home declined to remark, however earlier this month stated the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC) was working to assist develop “a revised coverage framework for when, and below what circumstances, masks ought to be required within the public transportation hall.”
Delta CEO Ed Bastian in a separate assertion https://information.delta.com/delta-asks-biden-administration-end-covid-era-travel-restrictions stated “contemplating the improved public well being metrics within the U.S. and medical developments to stop the worst outcomes of COVID-19, the federal masks mandate and pre-departure testing not matches with the present atmosphere.”
The letter additionally made reference to “1000’s of airline staff charged with implementing” the COVID guidelines.
The masks necessities have resulted in important friction on airplanes. The Federal Aviation Administration says since January 2021, there have been a file 6,942 unruly passenger incidents reported – and 70% concerned masking guidelines
Final week, the U.S. Senate voted 57 to 40 to overturn the 13-month-old public well being order requiring masks on airplanes and different types of public transportation, a transfer that drew a fast veto menace from Biden.
The masks mandate has drawn important opposition from Republicans who famous the CDC says 99.5% of People stay in locations the place it’s secure to ditch indoor masks.
The letter cited the CDC information arguing “the science clearly helps lifting the masks mandate.”
The 2021 CDC order stated the masks mandate might assist forestall the unfold of COVID-19 in crowded transport settings.
(Reporting by David ShepardsonEditing by Chris Reese and Invoice Berkrot)
