(WXYZ) — Masks are now required for travelers using public transportation throughout the country. Overnight, President Joe Biden's executive order and CDC guidelines went into effect.
At Detroit Metro Airport and airports throughout the country, there's a zero-tolerance policy for not wearing a mask, and TSA will be enforcing mask requirements for all individuals over the age of 2 in all U.S. airports and throughout the transportation network.
The Department of Homeland Security is allowing TSA agents to turn people away who aren't wearing a mask at checkpoints and during travel.
"TSA officers might ask people to remove their mask temporarily to verify their identity. There might be certain instances of that, but in general, people need to be wearing it the whole time," Jessia Mayle with TSA said. "It needs to be snug fitting. It needs to fit over the nose and the mouth."
While masks have already been required during flight by most airlines, the new mandate is a federal one through an emergency order by the CDC and an executive order signed by Biden. Having a vaccine
is not an exemption.
"Getting vaccinated does not say now I have a free pass to travel, nor does it say now I have a free pass to put aside all of the public health measures that we talk about all the time," Dr. Anthony Fauci said.
The mask requirement is for all public transportation, not just air travel. That includes taxis, ride-sharing, buses and trains.
There are some exemptions to the rule – if you're eating, drinking, taking medications, talking to someone who is hearing impaired, or travelers two years old or under.
