WASHINGTON – The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a sweeping order late on Friday requiring the use of face masks on nearly all modes of public transportation as the country continues to report thousands of COVID-19 deaths daily.
The order, which will take effect at 11:59 p.m. EST Monday (0459 GMT Tuesday), requires face masks to be worn by all travelers on planes, ships, trains, subways, buses, taxis and rides and at transportation hubs such as airports, bus or ferry terminals, train and metro stations and sea ports.
President Joe Biden on Jan. 21 ordered government agencies to “take immediate action” to demand masks at airports and on commercial aircraft, trains and public sea-going vessels, including ferries, intercity buses and all public transport.
Under Donald Trump, who was president until January 20, a CDC push to make masks mandatory in transit was blocked and instead the agency made only strong recommendations for the use of masks. Trump also rejected attempts by Congress to mandate the use of masks.
“Enforcing masks on our transportation systems will protect Americans and provide 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 .
Easier enforcement
While airlines and most modes of transport already require masks, the CDC order makes not wearing a mask a violation of federal law, which could make it easier for flight attendants and others to enforce them.
A US airline group told Biden this month that airlines should have banned “thousands of passengers” from future flights because they did not adhere to the airline’s mask policy.
The CDC said people who violate the warrant could face criminal penalties, but suggested civil penalties would be more likely if needed. The warrant is enforced by the Transportation Security Administration and federal, state, and local agencies.
The order states that passengers must wear masks during transport, except for short periods, such as to eat, drink or take medicine. Masks can be crafted or homemade.
The only exceptions are for travelers under the age of 2 and people with certain medical conditions. People in passenger cars and solo truck drivers do not have to wear masks.
Airlines concerns
US airlines this week expressed concern about requests from passengers to refrain from wearing a mask for health reasons. The CDC order says airlines and other modes of transportation may require medical documentation and consultation by a medical specialist, as well as a passenger’s COVID-19 negative test in order to board an aircraft or other mode of transport.
The CDC said this week it is “actively pursuing” demanding negative COVID-19 tests for domestic air travel after making it mandatory for nearly all international travel starting Jan. 26. The prospects of domestic COVID-19 tests on Friday drew strong opposition from airlines and other groups.
Under the CDC order, airlines and other operators must “disembark at the first safe opportunity from any person who refuses to comply”.
Federal agencies must file plans by Friday to enforce a separate Biden warrant requiring masks in all federal buildings and on all federal lands.
A January 24 White House memo stated that domestic travel for federal employees “should be limited to mission-critical travel only,” and occupancy in federal offices should be limited to 25% during “periods of high prevalence within the community.”