New US transit mask rules ordered by Biden take effect

New rules took effect just before midnight Tuesday requiring millions of travelers in the US 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 US 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.” The CDC order allows homemade masks. The TSA issued security directives Sunday allowing them to issue civil penalties and deny access to flights to travelers not wearing masks. The rules will be in effect through at least May 11. Travelers are permitted for brief periods to remove masks for eating, drinking, or taking medications but masks “must be worn between bites and sips,” TSA said. TSA said air carriers must make “best efforts to disembark the person who refuses to comply as soon as practicable.”<br/>