USA/CANADA. Governments in the US and Canada are introducing fresh travel regulations in an effort to halt the spread of COVID-19.
On Friday, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an order making compulsory the use of masks on airplanes and other forms of public transport.
The order, which came into effect last night, mandates the wearing of face coverings at transport locations such as bus terminals, airports, train stations and subway stops as well as in taxis and while using ride-hailing services.
The CDC’s announcement said: “People must wear masks that cover both the mouth and nose when awaiting, boarding, travelling on, or disembarking public conveyances. People must also wear masks when entering or on the premises of a transportation hub in the United States.”
The mandate, which has the force of federal law, offers few exceptions, which include “while eating, drinking, or taking medication, for brief periods”.
Meanwhile, in Canada there have been new blows for the airline industry, with the national government bringing in tough new rules on testing and quarantines. It has “strongly advised” Canadians to cancel or postpone any non-essential travel plans outside of Canada.
Air travellers – already facing a mandatory quarantine of 14 days – who decide to travel for non-essential reasons will face new expenses when they return to Canada. They must take a COVID-19 molecular test on arrival and reserve a room in a Government of Canada-approved hotel for three nights while they await their test results, both at their own cost. This is in addition to providing proof of a negative pre-departure test.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has also announced that the government has reached an agreement with airlines to halt all passenger flights to the Caribbean and Mexico from the country until 30 April.
In response to these new pressures on airline industry finances, the National Airlines Council of Canada called on the federal government to provide airlines with financial support to offset the losses expected.
Its President and CEO Mike McNaney said: “We recognise the statements made by the government today that a healthy aviation sector is critical to Canada and our economy, and that the government is committed to working with the sector on a true recovery strategy that incorporates a science-based approach to testing and quarantine measures, and that the government is also committed to providing sectoral support for the industry overall.”
He added: “We need to ensure we take substantive action soon. Countries that have a true recovery strategy in place for their aviation sectors will be the best positioned to ensure the safe restart of their economy, to bring back jobs and investment and to successfully compete and take market share from countries that are not well prepared. There is a great deal at stake in the coming months and we look forward to engagement with the government on a clear and substantive sectoral recovery strategy.”
