The Omicron variant has been discovered and the Biden Administration has decided to extend the federal transportation mask mandate through March 18, 2022.
The mask mandate was extended in a White House press release. The mask mandate, which affects all public transportation, was previously extended to January 18, 2022.
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The news is part of the Biden Administration's plan to stop the spread of COVID-19. Travelers entering the United States regardless of vaccine status or nationality will be required to take a COVID-19 test. Everyone arriving in the U.S. will have to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test within a day.
Fines for non-compliance will be doubled from their previous level, with a minimum fine of $500 for first-time offenders and fines of up to $3,000 for repeat offenders.
The federal transportation mask mandate has been a contentious issue. Some people argue that it is pointless, while others would prefer to get rid of the mandate in favor of requiring all passengers to be fully vaccine free.
We have seen so many times this year that passengers who are not compliant have a risk of becoming violent. Over 5,000 violent incidents have occurred in the past year, with many of them being fueled by a mixture of alcohol and noncompliance to federal protocols.
The federal transportation mask mandate will last through March 18, 2022.
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