On Friday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that the United States will now require masks on all public transportation.
According to CNN, this includes buses, trains, taxis, airplanes, boats, subways, or ride-share vehicles while traveling into, within, and out of the U.S. The request goes into effect at 11:59 p.m. on Monday.
The CDC says that masks are required while waiting, boarding, traveling, and disembarking. The face coverings need to be a minimum of two or more breathable material layers that can be secured to the head with ties, ear loops, or elastic bands. According to the order, scarves and bandanas do not count as adequate coverings.
The order comes after the U.S. saw its deadliest month of the pandemic. Health experts are also concerned that the new, more contagious strains of COVID-19 could increase the spread throughout the country, leading to higher case and death tolls.
