President Biden signed an executive order, requiring passengers to wear face coverings.
One of 10 executive orders signed by the president aimed at addressing COVID-19.
Airlines and their employees have been seeking such a federal mask mandate since the pandemic began, as some passengers have refused to follow the airlines' own mask-wearing rules. The U.S. Department of Transportation has received more than 150 safety complaints over passengers, and the airlines themselves have banned passengers from flying with them for refusing to wear masks, which is why a mask mandate is needed for air travel.
In one of his first acts in the Oval Office, The President signed an executive order requiring every government employee and visitor on federal lands and federal building to wear a face mask. The order requires anyone traveling on a commercial airline, passenger train or intercity bus to wear a face covering, as well.
The mandate requires international travelers coming into the U.S. to prove they've tested negative for COVID-19 before they'll be allowed to board their flight.
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