ROADWAYS. >> O'Donnell: A GOOD WARNING THERE. THANK YOU, MIKE BETTES. LET'S TURN NOW TO THE COVID PANDEMIC. THE RECENT RISE IN CASES OF THAT BA.2 SUBVARIANT HAS PROMPTED THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO EXTEND THE MASK MANDATE ON PLANES, TRAINS, AND BUSES FOR AN ADDITIONAL 15 DAYS. LET'S GET MORE NOW FROM CBS' ERROL BARNETT. >> Reporter: TONIGHT, THE C.D.C. MAKING IT OFFICIAL, SAYING AT ITS RECOMMENDATION, THE T.S.A.
WILL EXTEND THE TRAVEL MASK MANDATE FOR 15 DAYS, WHICH PUSHES ITS EXPIRATION FROM APRIL 18 THROUGH MAY 3. >> CANDIDLY, IT'S TIME TO LET THE MASKS GO. >> Reporter: SPEAKING BEFORE THE ANNOUNCEMENT, DELTA C.E.O. ED BASTIAN DISPLAND WHY HE'S BEEN PUSHING FOR THE REQUIREMENT TO END. >> I FEEL VERY STRONGLY THAT THE MASK MANDATE SHOULD BE LIFTED AND LET INDIVIDUALS, INCLUDING OUR OWN EMPLOYEES, MAKE THEIR OWN DECISIONS. >> Reporter: BUT PASSENGERS SPEAKING TO CBS NEWS HAVE A DIFFERENT VIEW. >> I JUST FEEL SAFER FLYING AND BEING IN TIGHT QUARTERS WITH A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH A MASH.
>> CONSIDERING THE NUMBERS ARE ACTUALLY GOING UP, I THINK IT'S A VERY SMART IDEA. >> Reporter: A RECENT POLL FOUND 60% OF AMERICANS SUPPORT A TRAVEL MASK EXTENSION. AND THE SPREAD THIS MONTH OF THE BA.2 SUBVARIANT OF OMICRON IS WHY THE C.D.C. SAYS ITS ORDER IS STILL NEEDED, DETERMINING ITS NEXT MOVE BASED ON UPCOMING DATA OF HOSPITALIZATIONS AND DEATHS. >> PEOPLE ARE JUST SO ANGRY AND FRUSTRATED, THAT, UNFORTUNATELY, WE HAVE BEEN THE VICTIM OF ASSAULTS, BOTH ON AND OFF THE AIRCRAFT. >> Reporter: LYN MONTGOMERY IS THE PRESIDENT OF SOUTHWEST'S FLIGHT ATTENDANT UNION, WHICH OPPOSES TRAVEL MASK EXTENSIONS, CITING THE HOUSANDS OF UNRULY PASSENGER INCIDENTS DURING THE PANDEMIC, MOST OVER MASKS. >> THERE'S A DIRECT CORRELATION BETWEEN THE MASK MANDATE AND UNRULY PASSENGER INCIDENTS ON BOARD. SO IT'S SOMETHING WE'D LIKE TO SEE LIFTED. >> Reporter: NOW, THERE IS ALSO AN INDUSTRY PUSH FOR THE ADMINISTRATION TO DROP ITS PREDEPARTURE TESTING REQUIREMENT FOR INCOMING INTERNATIONAL AIR TRAVELERS AS WELL.
BUT DESPITE ALL OF THAT ONGOING PRESSURE, THOSE TESTS AND THESE MASKS, NORAH, ARE STILL PART OF OUR TRAVEL REALITY FOR NO.
