In a new statement, industry group Airlines For America insists that aboard an airplane poses a low risk of coronavirus infection due to heavily filtered air and wearing a federally mandated mask. “We remain convinced that this layered approach significantly reduces risk,” said the group.
The announcement comes after the CDC said those who have been vaccinated can meet others who have been vaccinated, and even those at low risk who have not been vaccinated should avoid travel anyway.
“Every time there is a surge in travel, we have an increase in the number of cases in this country,” said CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky at the White House’s coronavirus briefing on Monday.
Health experts remain concerned that spring break travel will increase coronavirus infections.
It seems that more people are already starting to travel.
The Transportation Security Administration says it screened nearly 1.3 million at airports on Sunday, the highest figure since Jan. 3 vacation travel. The TSA has screened nearly a million or more than a million people since Thursday, meaning 4.5 million people flew for more than four days.
This is the second pandemic-related disagreement between the aviation industry and the new Biden administration.