New U.S. transit mask rules ordered by Biden take effect

WASHINGTON (Reuters), 2 Feb, 2021-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.

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.”