The US Centers for Disease Control issued a new order on Friday requiring people to wear masks while traveling "on conveyances and at transportation hubs."
The order covers all persons who are traveling on public conveyances (buses, trains, taxis, ride-share vehicles, airplanes, any kind of boat), and persons traveling into out of or within the US. It also includes people working at transportation terminals or working as operators of said conveyances (i.e. drivers, pilots etc.)
According to the CDC's website, the order also provides a clear definition of what mask fulfills the requirement, and also what are specifically not allowed as masks, which include the following:
- Masks worn in a way that does not cover both the mouth and nose
- Face shields or goggles (face shields or goggles may be worn to supplement a mask that meets above required attributes)
- Scarves, ski masks, balaclavas, or bandannas
- Shirt or sweater collars (e.g., turtleneck collars) pulled up over the mouth and nose.
- Masks made from loosely woven fabric or that are knitted, i.e., fabrics that let light pass through
- Masks made from materials that are hard to breathe through (such as vinyl, plastic or leather)
- Masks containing slits, exhalation valves, or punctures
- Masks that do not fit properly (large gaps, too loose or too tight)
The new requirements go into full legal effect on Feb. 1 and there is no information on when they may be lifted.
