US federal agencies have announced requirements for travellers to wear face coverings while on public transportation, aircraft and in airports.
On Sunday, the US Transportation Security Administration announced that as of Tuesday, travellers would be required to wear masks at TSA airport checkpoints as well as "throughout the commercial and public transportation systems." The order, which runs until 11 May, says passengers who refuse to wear masks will be refused entry to the secure area of airports and could be subject to civil penalties. Travellers will be asked to lower their masks for a moment when TSA agents are verifying their identity.
The TSA order followed an order on Saturday by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention requiring passengers to wear masks on all aircraft, ships, ferries, trains, subways, buses, taxis and rideshare vehicles in the United States. That order also goes into effect on Tuesday.
Both orders support President Joe Biden's executive order requiring masks on federal property and while travelling. Previously, the CDC had recommended for travellers to wear masks but stopped short of a mandate. While airlines and other transportation suppliers generally have instituted their own requirements for masks, the federal mandate gives them extra support in enforcing them.