The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is set to extend the order, which was to expire on April 18, by two weeks to monitor for any observable increase in severe virus outcomes as cases rise in parts of the country.

The move was being made out of abundance of caution, the person said, speaking on the condition of anonymity to preview the CDC’s action.

There’s been hope to roll out a more flexible masking strategy this week that would have replaced the nationwide requirement.