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New CDC requirement mandates wearing masks on planes, public transit

Jan. 30, 2021
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2 min read
Biden Administration Reinstates COVID Travel Ban For Non-US Residents
New CDC requirement mandates wearing masks on planes, public transit
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The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced on Jan. 29 that all passengers must wear a face mask while on public transportation, which includes airplanes, trains, buses, taxis and rideshares starting Feb. 2. Reuters first reported the news.

The CDC said that scientific evidence shows that "consistent and universal use of masks" on public transit will help reduce the spread of COVID-19, as over 430,000 Americans have died from the novel coronavirus.

Airlines and many forms of public transportation already required face masks. But the new order gives more power to frontline workers like flight attendants who, at times, have struggled to get travelers to comply with mask-wearing.

The order says that public transportation operators (which includes crew, drivers, conductors, and ticket takers) can only let people who wear a mask board and must remove customers who don't comply. Not wearing a mask is now a violation of federal law.

Children under 2 and people with disabilities who can't wear a mask or cannot safely wear a mask for reasons related to the disability are exempt from the mandate.

Masks may be removed for "brief periods of time" while eating, drinking or taking medication, in addition to communicating with a person who is hearing impaired. Masks may also be removed to verify identities during Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screening or when asked to do so by the ticket or gate agent or a law enforcement official.

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Related: Mask mandate, mandatory quarantine: What Biden’s newest executive order means for you

U.S. airlines and unions have long supported a federal mask mandate on public transit during the pandemic, which the Trump administration opposed.

One of President Joe Biden’s first actions as president was to make wearing a mask mandatory while traveling domestically. President Biden signed an executive order on Jan. 21 requiring that masks be worn on “many” airplanes, trains, buses and during all interstate travel, calling mask-wearing a “patriotic duty.”

That order followed an executive order signed on Biden’s first day in office that required masks to be worn in all federal buildings and on federal land.

Featured image by Getty Images
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

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  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
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  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
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