The CDC says it reserves the right to enforce the order through criminal penalties but “encourages and anticipates widespread voluntary compliance.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued an order late Friday requiring travelers in the United States to wear face masks at transportation hubs, and on planes and all forms of public transportation. The order goes into effect late Monday, one minute before midnight. “People must wear masks that completely cover both the mouth and nose while awaiting, boarding, disembarking, or traveling on airplanes, ships, ferries, trains, subways, buses, taxis, and ride-shares as they are traveling into, within, or out of the United States and U.S. territories,” the CDC says. Masks are also required at airports, bus and ferry terminals, seaports, and train and subway stations, according to the federal agency. There are some exceptions. Children under 2 are not required to wear masks, nor are people who cannot safely wear a mask due to a disability. Also: Face masks can be taken off while eating, drinking or taking medication. A mask is also not required when communicating with a person who is hearing impaired and needs to see a person’s mouth to communicate. The CDC says it reserves the right to enforce the order through criminal penalties but “does not intend” to primarily rely on them.
