"Refusal to Wear Masks May Result in Denied Boarding" Recommendation Included
White House Blocks Fines for Mask Violations
[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced new health guidelines strongly recommending that both workers and passengers wear masks on public transportation such as airplanes, trains, and buses. Although these guidelines fall short of the level desired by the airline industry and public transportation workers' unions, they are stricter than previous directives. The CDC had intended to mandate mask-wearing, but it is reported that the White House blocked this effort, sparking controversy.
According to foreign media including The Washington Post (WP), on the 19th (local time), the CDC released new health guidelines stating that travelers, whether domestic or international, must wear masks covering their nose and mouth when using public transportation. Public transportation workers are also required to ask passengers to wear masks throughout their journey. The guidelines also recommend refusing boarding to those who refuse to wear masks. Prior to the release of these new guidelines, the CDC's existing rules only allowed mask-wearing on public transportation alongside other safety measures such as social distancing.
The CDC stated, "Virus transmission through travel has led to spread between states within the U.S. and between countries, and this continues today," adding, "If an infected person boards public transportation without a mask and there are others without masks, local infections can quickly lead to transmission between states and countries." The CDC also pointed out that using airplanes, ships, trains, subways, buses, taxis, ride-sharing services, or staying at airports or ports increases contact time with others and exposure to frequently touched surfaces, thereby raising the risk of virus spread.
The revised CDC guideline, 'Strong Recommendation to Wear Masks on Public Transportation,' was issued amid demands from the airline industry for stronger authority to enforce mask-wearing among passengers. However, it reportedly falls short of the level desired by the industry and related unions. WP quoted a CDC official saying, "The draft of the new guideline included orders requiring mask-wearing for both public transportation users and workers, with penalties such as fines for violations, but it was blocked by the White House."
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