Airport Alert: CDC Issues Nationwide Mask Mandate for Travelers on All Public Conveyances and at Transportation Hubs
January 30, 2021
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an order that requires travelers to wear masks while using any form of public conveyance, such as on airlines, subways, buses or ferries, and in airports nationwide. The order also requires operators and other workers in these systems to wear masks.
In its summary of the order, CDC explains that "people must wear masks that cover both the mouth and the nose when awaiting, boarding, traveling on, or disembarking public conveyances. People must also wear masks when entering or on the premise of a transportation hub in the United States."
This order does not apply within any state, locality, territory, or Tribal area that already requires a person to wear a mask on conveyances and at transportation hubs IF these local requirements provide the same level of public health protection—or greater protection than—the requirements listed in this order.
This order is effective on February 1, at 11:59 p.m. (EST) and will remain in effect unless it is modified or rescinded based on specific public health or other considerations, or until the Secretary of Health and Human Services rescinds the determination that a public health emergency exists.
As a next step, AAAE anticipates TSA will issue a Security Directive (SD) shortly to implement and enforce this order. The SD is expected to include a mask mandate that will apply to all persons in or on the airport and require airports to assist with the enforcement of the CDC order. AAAE will provide more information when that directive has been issued.
Additional details on what types of masks are acceptable or unacceptable, exemptions to the mandate, and when exceptions can be made are provided below. These requirements may be updated as needed.
Mask Attributes:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an order that requires travelers to wear masks while using any form of public conveyance, such as on airlines, subways, buses or ferries, and in airports nationwide. The order also requires operators and other workers in these systems to wear masks.
In its summary of the order, CDC explains that "people must wear masks that cover both the mouth and the nose when awaiting, boarding, traveling on, or disembarking public conveyances. People must also wear masks when entering or on the premise of a transportation hub in the United States."
This order does not apply within any state, locality, territory, or Tribal area that already requires a person to wear a mask on conveyances and at transportation hubs IF these local requirements provide the same level of public health protection—or greater protection than—the requirements listed in this order.
This order is effective on February 1, at 11:59 p.m. (EST) and will remain in effect unless it is modified or rescinded based on specific public health or other considerations, or until the Secretary of Health and Human Services rescinds the determination that a public health emergency exists.
As a next step, AAAE anticipates TSA will issue a Security Directive (SD) shortly to implement and enforce this order. The SD is expected to include a mask mandate that will apply to all persons in or on the airport and require airports to assist with the enforcement of the CDC order. AAAE will provide more information when that directive has been issued.
Additional details on what types of masks are acceptable or unacceptable, exemptions to the mandate, and when exceptions can be made are provided below. These requirements may be updated as needed.
Mask Attributes:
- A properly worn mask completely covers the nose and mouth.
- Cloth masks should be made with two or more layers of a breathable fabric that is tightly woven (i.e., fabrics that do not let light pass through when held up to a light source).
- Mask should be secured to the head with ties, ear loops, or elastic bands that go behind the head. If gaiters are worn, they should have two layers of fabric or be folded to make two layers.
- Mask should fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face.
- Mask should be a solid piece of material without slits, exhalation valves, or punctures.
The following attributes are additionally acceptable as long as masks meet the requirements above.
- Masks can be either manufactured or homemade.
- Masks can be reusable or disposable.
- Masks can have inner filter pockets.
- Clear masks or cloth masks with a clear plastic panel may be used to facilitate communication with people who are hearing impaired or others who need to see a speaker's mouth to understand speech.
- Medical masks and N-95 respirators fulfill the requirements of the order.
The following do not fulfill the requirements of the order:
- 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 the 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).
Exemptions: The order includes exemptions for a child under the age of 2, if a person has a disability and cannot wear a mask, or when a person cannot wear a mask because it would create a risk to workplace health, safety, or job duty.
Exceptions: The order states that the requirement to wear a mask does not apply under the following circumstances:
- While eating, drinking, or taking medications for brief periods;
- While communicating with a person who is hearing impaired when the ability to see the mouth is essential;
- If on an aircraft, wearing oxygen masks is needed;
- If unconscious (for reasons other than sleeping), incapacitated, unable to be awakened, or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance; or
- When necessary to temporarily remove the mask to verify one's identity
