Some of the first executive orders signed by President Joe Biden are directives that require masks to curb the spread of coronavirus in this country. Orders, one on federal property and one on travel, are limited to locations and people over which the Biden administration has control.
In addition, Biden urges all Americans to wear facial coatings for 100 days, with the idea that a concentrated effort during this time could help contain the spread of coronavirus as vaccination efforts increase.
Here’s a look at how Americans can be affected by the new executive orders:
National trips
There is now a federal mask requirement that applies to airports, planes, boats and many intercity buses, trains and public transportation.
Although airlines, Amtrak, and other modes of transportation already had individual or regional mask requirements, the executive order makes it a federal-level requirement and helps support any movement room locally.
There are still unanswered questions about how this command will be applied and what ways to use it transport, exactly, they are covered.
International travel
Travelers coming to the United States from another country will be required to present a negative COVID-19 test before heading to that country and then quarantined upon arrival.
Federal property
Masks and social distancing efforts are now required to all federal property and federal lands. This includes places like federal courts, the FBI, or other federal agency buildings, both in DC and across the country, and national parks and forests.
Although regional or state mask mandates have informed local decisions at these sites, the federal-level mask requirement helps ensure consistency of federal ownership requirements.
Federal employees
All federal employees and contractors are required to wear masks while on federal property or in any workplace.