Jeff Chiu
The transport safety agency TSA announced on Friday that, despite the rapidly advancing vaccinations in the United States, masks remained an important tool in the fight against the pandemic. The TSA is thus implementing guidelines from the CDC health authority, according to which fully vaccinated people can travel safely again within the USA, but must continue to observe precautionary measures.
The mask requirement also applies at traffic hubs such as airports, train stations or ports. Violations can be punished with a fine of 250 dollars (208 euros), in the event of repetition there is a risk of fines of up to 1500 dollars. Children under two years of age and people with certain restrictions are exempt from the mask requirement. The measure came into effect on February 1, following an order from US President Joe Biden. Without the extension that has now taken place, it would have expired on May 11, according to TSA information.
According to the White House, the 100 million fully vaccinated American mark was reached on Friday. Around 330 million people live in the USA – almost every third person in the population has received the required corona vaccination doses.
In view of the rapidly growing number of people vaccinated in the USA, the corona requirements for public life are being relaxed more and more. The CDC health authority published new recommendations last Tuesday that fully vaccinated people no longer have to wear a mask for many outdoor activities. However, this does not apply to closed rooms.
In early April, the CDC announced that fully vaccinated people could travel safely within the United States. You should keep wearing masks, keep your distance from others and wash or disinfect your hands as often as possible. When traveling domestically, corona tests are not absolutely necessary for fully vaccinated persons before or after, it said. Quarantine is also not necessary.