Biden to order masks, quarantine for travelers in Covid Fight

Photographer: David Paul Morris / Bloomberg

President Joe Biden will push for increased travel security during the coronavirus pandemic by requiring people to wear masks at airports and on planes while imposing quarantines on people arriving in the United States from others country.

In an executive order he will issue on Thursday, his second day in office, Biden will codify action by former President Donald Trump on January 12 to demand a negative Covid-19 test before flying to the United States from other countries, according to a Biden administration fact sheet. The order will be coupled with the one requiring masks on federal properties that was signed by Biden on Wednesday.

The wording of the orders had not been published, so it is difficult to assess how the various provisions will be applied. All US carriers have some sort of requirement that passengers cover their faces, as many airports and transit systems do.

But the federal mask requirement could give teeth to policies now drafted and enforced by airlines, which have limited remedies, such as refusing to allow customers to board future flights.

And it will go beyond planes. According to the Biden fact sheet, the administration will require “the wearing of masks at airports, on certain modes of public transport, including many trains, planes, sea ships and intercity buses.”

While the evidence on the risks of flying during the pandemic varies, there is a broad consensus that wearing a tight face mask can significantly reduce the risk of transmission of the Covid-19 virus.

One of the actions with the highest potential impact is requiring people arriving in the United States from other countries to adhere to previously unenforced quarantine guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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The CDC suggests that international travelers get a second test for the virus within three to five days of arrival and stay at home or in isolation for seven days – even if the test is negative. For people who aren’t tested, it’s safer to self-isolate for 10 days, according to the CDC.

Similar restrictions in the UK have curtailed travel and faced opposition from airlines and other travel industry players, who said aggressive testing should be enough to slow the spread of the disease .

“The decree also calls for the consideration of additional public health measures in domestic travel,” according to Biden’s fact sheet.

Compliance with airline mask requirements has occasionally been inconsistent, and there are exceptions for passengers who must eat and drink. Aside from persuasion, the only tool for airlines if passengers refuse is to ban them from boarding the flight.

The new Biden policy could subject passengers to a fee. Throughout the pandemic, the The Federal Aviation Administration has only filed civil charges against two people related to their refusal to wear masks in cases of threats or suspected assaults against flight attendants.

Hundreds of people have been prevented from flying on individual carriers for refusing or having disputes with flight attendants and pilots over the matter.

In the days surrounding the Jan.6 assault by the pro-Trump mob on the U.S. Capitol, there were numerous incidents reported on social media and by airlines of people traveling to and from Washington without masks.

The two most senior Republican senators in charge of air policy, Roger Wicker of Mississippi and Ted Cruz of Texas, were both photographed in unmasked planes last year. Wicker served as chairman of the trade, science and transportation committee and Cruz was the head of the aviation and space subcommittee.

The flight attendant unions had particularly insisted on demanding more action from the government, saying it was unfair that their members had to apply a rule without bites.

“Masks are effective in significantly reducing the risk of the spread of Covid-19,” said Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants.CWA, in a press release last July. “But they are only effective if everyone does their part by wearing the masks correctly.”

The documents summarizing Biden’s executive order made no mention of a separate ban on arrival for most European and Brazilian travelers. Asset announced Monday that he plans to cancel the orders, most of which were passed last March.

But Biden spokeswoman Jen Psaki said that day that the incoming administration planned to block Trump’s decision.

“On the advice of our medical team, the Administration does not intend to lift these restrictions on 1/26. In fact, we plan to strengthen public health measures around international travel to further mitigate the spread of Covid-19, ”she tweeted.