CDC Issues Order That Makes Not Wearing A Mask On Public Transportation A Federal Crime

Plus: Footage Of Rochester Police Restraining, Pepper-Spraying 9-Year-Old Girl Sparks Outrage

TOPLINE

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, no longer restricted by the Trump administration, issued an extensive federal public health order late Friday requiring all individuals to wear masks over their mouth and nose on nearly all forms of public transportation and private ride-sharing services—and makes refusal to wear a face-covering a violation of federal law.

KEY FACTS

The order, which takes effect on Tuesday, requires a mask be worn by all travelers on planes, trains, subways, buses, taxis and ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft.

Face coverings are also required at transportation hubs such as airports, bus terminals, train stations and subway stations.

The mandate offers a few exceptions, allowing individuals to lower masks "while eating, drinking, or taking medication, for brief periods," and for communicating with a person who is hearing impaired. 

The order will be enforced by the Transportation Security Administration and federal, state and local agencies.

While the CDC reserves the right to "enforce through criminal penalties," civil penalties, such as fines, are far more likely.

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