Some of the first executive orders signed by President Joe Biden, are prescriptions in which masks should slow down the spread of the coronavirus in this country. The orders, one on federal property and one on travel, are limited to places and people controlled by the Biden administration.
In addition, Biden is appealing to all Americans to wear face masks for 100 days, with the idea that it is a long-term effort to limit the spread of the coronavirus as vaccination efforts increase.
Here’s a look at the influence of Americans through the new executive orders:
Travel locally
There is now a federal mask requirement that applies to airports, aircraft, ships and many buses, trains and public transportation.
Although airlines, Amtrak and other means of transportation have already had individual or regional requirements, the executive order makes it a requirement at the federal level and helps to stop any wrapping room at the local level.
There are still unanswered questions about how this order will be enforced and what ways of transport, exactly, be covered.
Travel international
Travelers arriving in the US from another country must show a negative COVID-19 test before leaving for that country, and then on arrival in quarantine.
Federal property
Masks and social distancing efforts is now needed on all federal property and federal lands. These include locations such as federal courthouses, FBI or other federal agency buildings in DC and across the country, and national parks and forests.
Although regional or nationwide mask mandates have informed local decisions in these locations, the federal masking requirement can ensure that federal property requirements are consistent.
Federal employees
All federal employees and contractors are required to wear masks while on federal property or otherwise at work.