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The
CDC on Feb. 25 dramatically eased its COVID-19 guidelines for
when Americans should wear masks indoors, saying they could drop
them in counties experiencing what it described as low or medium
COVID-19 levels.
Last month, the CDC initially said 70% of counties covering 72%
of Americans could drop masks. The latest update says 98% of
Americans who live in 94% of U.S. counties can ditch masks.
The revised figures may give ammunition to critics who want the
administration to lift mask requirements on airplanes, trains
and in transit hubs.
The Biden administration earlier on Thursday said at the CDC's
recommendation that it had agreed to extend requirements for
travelers to wear masks on airplanes, trains and in transit hubs
through April 18.
The decision extends by a month mask requirements that were set
to expire on March 18.
The CDC said it will work with other government agencies "to
help inform a revised policy framework for when, and under what
circumstances, masks should be required in the public
transportation corridor."
Just last week, the agency said 85.4% of counties covering 93%
of the population were deemed to have low or medium COVID-19
levels and could skip masks. The latest figures are a sign of
another dramatic fall in coronavirus infections.
U.S. government agencies have dropped mask requirements in
federal buildings in the Washington area and other places with
low or medium levels of COVID-19.
(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Chris Reese and Tom
Hogue)
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