WASHINGTON -- Travelers on planes, trains or buses can't put away masks just yet.
The Transportation Security Administration announced Friday that it will extend its face covering requirement, which also applies in airports and train stations, through Sept. 13. The rule took effect Feb. 1 and was set to expire May 11.
The agency said that children up to 2 years old and people with certain disabilities will continue to be exempted from the rule. Violations can carry fines of up to $1,500 for repeat offenders.
Separately, a spokeswoman for the Federal Aviation Administration said Friday that the FAA will continue its zero-tolerance policy against disruptive airline passengers as long as the Transportation Security Administration's mask rule is in effect. The FAA is seeking much larger civil penalties -- some topping $30,000 -- against a small number of passengers that it accuses of interfering with airline crews.
Airlines and their unions had pushed for an extension of the federal mask rule as a stronger alternative to airline-imposed rules.
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"Continuing the TSA enforcement directive for the CDC transportation mask mandate will keep passengers and aviation workers safe," Association of Flight Attendants president Sara Nelson said.
Agency officials said the mask rule matches health guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC recently said that fully vaccinated people can travel safely, but it still recommends that they wear masks and maintain distance from other people.
About 100 million Americans, roughly half the nation's adults, have been fully immunized against covid-19.