CDC to Require Masks on All Forms of Public Transportation – The Wall Street Journal

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U.S. travelers and commuters will be required to wear masks on nearly all forms of public transportation and inside transportation hubs, according to a late Friday emergency order from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The mandate, which goes into effect on Tuesday and applies to most everyone over the age of 2, effectively reverses the Trump administration’s policy of leaving the choice to local leaders. It follows an executive order issued by President Biden on Jan. 21, which required passengers to wear face coverings during interstate travel.

Under the new CDC policy, face masks must be worn over the mouth and nose by all travelers on airplanes, ships, trains, subways, buses, taxis, and ride-shares and inside airports, bus or ferry terminals, train and subway stations and seaports.

“Requiring masks on our transportation systems will protect Americans and provide confidence that we can once again travel safely even during this pandemic,” according to the 11-page order signed by Marty Cetron, director for CDC’s Division of Global Migration and Quarantine. “Increasing universal masking by 15% could prevent the need for lockdowns and reduce associated losses of up to $1 trillion or about 5% of gross domestic product.”

The order says that failure to comply is a violation of a federal law and people without a mask won’t be allowed to board public transportation. The CDC said the order is an “emergency action” and that it would be enforced by state, federal and local law officials.

Source Article from https://www.wsj.com/articles/cdc-to-require-masks-on-all-forms-of-public-transportation-11612027813

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