 New
U.S. transit mask rules ordered by Biden take effect
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[February 02, 2021]
By David Shepardson
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - New rules took
effect just before midnight Tuesday requiring millions of travelers in
the United States to wear masks on airplanes, trains, buses, ferries,
taxis and ride-share vehicles and in airports, stations, ports and other
transit hubs.
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 The new rules were ordered by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC) late Friday to address the spread of COVID-19
after being blocked by President Donald Trump from imposing the
requirements in August.
President Joe Biden signed an executive order on Jan. 21 tasking
federal agencies with issuing rules "to save lives and allow all
Americans, including the millions of people employed in the
transportation industry, to travel and work safely."
Advocacy group FlyersRights.org Monday urged the Biden
administration to go farther and mandate the use of N95, KN95 or
surgical masks on airplanes as well as "stricter social distancing
guidelines, temperature checks (and) rapid testing."
The CDC order allows homemade masks.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) issued security
directives Sunday allowing them to issue civil penalties and deny
access to flights to travelers not wearing masks. The rules will be
in effect through at least May 11.
Travelers are permitted for brief periods to remove masks for
eating, drinking, or taking medications but masks "must be worn
between bites and sips," TSA said.
Nearly all U.S. travel is covered by the rules, but people in
private cars and solo truck drivers are exempt.
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 The order requires all
passengers two and older to wear masks but
travelers can avoid wearing masks if they have a
disability.
American Airlines said customers with
disabilities unable to wear a mask must notify
the airline 72 hours prior to departure to
request an exemption and show proof of a
negative COVID-19 test taken within three days
of departure or proof of recovery to board.
U.S. airlines have banned thousands of people
from future flights for failing to wear masks.
Delta Air Lines Chief Executive Ed Bastian said
Monday the airline had banned about 950 people
to date. He said Biden's order "adds a layer of
protection for our people who have been integral
in enforcing our mask policy."
TSA said air carriers must make "best efforts to
disembark the person who refuses to comply as
soon as practicable."
(Reporting by David Shepardson)
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