Masks required while traveling on public transportation

People no longer have the option of wearing a mask during public transportation. The CDC announced this order following President Joe Biden’s executive order promoting COVID-19 safety while traveling. Buses, boats, subways and planes are a part of this mandate. Tom Williams, President of the Meridian Airport Authority says this is not a new precaution for them.

“That’s something we’ve been doing since May of 2020 so it really doesn’t change anything that we’ve been doing at the Meridian Airport," said Williams. "We already required masks. So really it’s business as usual.”

Now that the executive order is in place, travelers can be fined by the Federal Employee Defense Services if they choose not to comply with the order.

“If you refuse to wear a mask and then if you refuse to leave without a mask, they will fine you from $250 to $500 depending on the circumstances," said Williams. "We’ve had no issue at the Meridian Regional Airport with any refusing to comply.”

Williams says the airport has only seen about 30% of passengers that they would normally see without the pandemic, but assures the planes are COVID safe.

“The airline has implemented great safety precautions where you’re required to wear a mask--all flight crew and passengers," said Williams. "The airplane is cleaned before every flight. So actually flying is probably one of the safest forms of transportation."

The COVID-19 safety executive order is now in effect for all public transportation agencies in the United States.