Airline mask mandate extension 'on the table' as traveler numbers soar

The travel mask mandate is set to end next week, but the Biden administration said extending it is "still on the table."

The White House says extending the federal mask mandate for airlines and other forms of transportation is still possible despite urging from GOP lawmakers and transportation industry leaders to end the measure, which is set to expire next week.

The decision could be influenced by an increase in COVID-19 cases in the U.S. and a large increase in travelers. The TSA screened 2.6 million travelers on March 20 -- a record since the pandemic began of an upward trend many experts expect to continue as summer approaches.

White House COVID-19 response coordinator Dr. Ashish Jha said extending the public health order is "absolutely on the table" on NBC's "Today Show" on Monday. Dr. Jha was asked whether rising case numbers could justify extending the order.

"This is a decision that the CDC Director Dr. Walensky is going to make," Dr. Jha said. "I know the CDC is working on developing a scientific framework for how to answer that. We are going to see that framework come out I think in the next few days."