Coronavirus in the United States: Mandatory use of masks in public transport comes into effect

At 11:59 pm this Monday, the decree was signed by President Joe Biden last week requires the use of masks for anyone boarding a bus, train, plane, metro, boat, ferry, taxi, or even a shared transport such as Uber or Lyft.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released an eleven-page paper last Saturday specifying how important it is to have your mouth and nose covered to avoid spreading the COVID-19 virus, and notes that it should be masks that are used, since bandanas, scarves or ski masks do not serve the same purpose. Raised shirts or sweaters are also not accepted as adequate protection.

From tomorrow, everyone responsible for public transport must check whether one hundred percent of the passengers at least meet the following requirements: appropriate mask that covers the nose and mouth; fabric masks must have at least two layers that are not translucent; They must be fastened to the head, either with braces, or elastically behind the ears; While the mask should be comfortable and allow for breathing, it should be attached enough to the face so that air does not leak; masks with holes are thrown out; they can be disposable or reusable; Transparent materials may facilitate communication with the hearing impaired as long as they do not have open air gaps; Protective shields on the face can complement, but they do not replace the use of masks.

“The order must be followed by all passengers traveling by public transportation to, from or within the United States. At the same time, drivers and anyone who works at the stations or whose work is related to transport in the country will have to wear the same masks, ”the CDC website said.

Anyone who does not adhere to the new rule risks getting out of the respective means of transport They could even get a long-term ban on using that form of transmission. In more severe or recurring cases, the measure includes federal levies.

Regulations are checked by agents from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA, for the acronym in English), as well as by federal, state, or local cash.

“The CDC reserves the right to impose federal criminal charges, although it is not intended to reach this authority”, the document clarifies.

The only exceptions to the rule are when the person eats, drinks, or is on medication. Children under two years of age, people with disabilities or respiratory diseases that can be aggravated by the use of masks are exempt from their use.

In states like Florida where the governor was Ron DeSantis signed an executive order last November prohibiting local governments from enforcing mandatory mask use rules, now they must comply with the federal order. In places like Miami-Dade, the use of masks is still mandatory, but after the governor’s decision, they could not impose fines on those who didn’t obey the order. Now it is not clear whether the fines will apply again.

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