According to an emergency order from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday night, American travelers and commuters must wear masks on nearly all modes of public transportation and transportation hubs.
The mandate, which goes into effect Tuesday and applies to almost everyone over the age of two, effectively reverses the Trump administration’s policies. It follows an executive order issued by President Joe Biden on Jan. 21, requiring passengers to wear face covers on interstate travel.
Under the new CDC policy, face masks must be worn by all travelers on planes, ships, trains, metros, buses, taxis and ride shares and in airports, bus or ferry terminals, train and metro stations and seaports, according to the order.
Moynihan’s recently opened train station is largely empty, as concerns about the coronavirus restrict travel in New York on Jan. 29.
Photo:
John Lamparski / Zuma Press
“By requiring masks on our transportation systems, Americans are protected and we can gain confidence that we can travel safely again even during this pandemic,” said the 11-page order signed by Marty Cetron, director of CDC’s Division of Global Migration and Quarantine . “By increasing universal masking by 15%, the need for lockdowns can be avoided and the associated losses can be reduced to $ 1 trillion or about 5% of gross domestic product.”
A CDC attempt to mandate masks in transit was blocked under President Donald Trump. Instead, the agency has made strong recommendations for the use of masks. Mr. Trump also rejected attempts by Congress to make the use of masks mandatory.
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The warrant exempts people with disabilities who cannot wear masks and private cars for personal use. People are also allowed to take off their masks to eat or drink or to identify themselves. Bus drivers and other operators will be responsible for enforcing the new order, kicking off anyone who disobeys the vehicle.
The order comes because 25.9 million people in the US have tested positive for the virus since the start of the pandemic, accounting for more than a quarter of the global total.
The CDC also extended a moratorium on tenant evictions on Friday for non-payment of rent or housing. The order, which was scheduled to expire on January 31, will run through March 31.
Protection is limited to renters who earn no more than $ 99,000 per year or a couple who earn no more than $ 198,000.
Write to Douglas Belkin at [email protected]
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