US to issue 96m face masks to plane, train passengers

The US government plans to distribute 96m cloth face coverings for free to people riding on planes, trains and public transportation systems. The Transportation Department said Friday it will provide 86.8m masks to airports and 9.6m to 458 transit agencies and Amtrak. “This Administration is committed to protecting our people and reopening the economy,” Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao said. “Distributing these facial coverings will help boost public confidence as we begin to resume our normal lives.” The Transportation Department is working with the Health and Human Services Department, it said. The cloth coverings were obtained by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and will be distributed in the coming weeks. Travellers are “still responsible for having their own facial covering” in situations in which it is required, the DOT said. The government’s supply is intended to be supplemental and availability is not guaranteed. <br/>