COVID-19 Travel Safety (E.O. 13998)

Summary

Makes rules for wearing masks and other safety steps for people traveling inside the U.S. and coming from other countries to stop the spread of COVID-19.

What problem does this solve?

Traveling during the COVID-19 pandemic put many people at risk of getting sick. This order creates a national plan with clear safety rules to help protect travelers and transportation workers.

What does this order do?

Requires masks on public transportation

Mandates that masks must be worn in airports and on commercial aircraft, trains, public maritime vessels (like ferries), intercity buses, and all other forms of public transit.

Sets rules for international travelers entering the U.S.

Requires people traveling to the United States from other countries to show proof of a recent negative COVID-19 test before entry and to follow quarantine rules after they arrive.

Develops safety plans for all entry points

Directs federal agencies to create and carry out public health plans for air travel, land border crossings with Canada and Mexico, and seaports.

Explores linking vaccination status to travel documents

Asks government agencies to study the idea of connecting COVID-19 vaccination records to International Certificates of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP), including creating electronic versions.

Allows states to have stricter rules

Ensures that these federal rules do not stop states, local governments, or tribes from enforcing their own public health measures that are even more protective.

Coordinates the government's response

Appoints the COVID-19 Response Coordinator to manage and oversee the implementation of all travel safety measures across different government agencies.

Who does this affect?

Travelers
Transportation industry workers
Airline, bus, and train companies

What is the real world impact?

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Creates a unified national strategy for safe travel

Establishes consistent, science-based health rules for all forms of public and international travel to reduce the spread of COVID-19, ensuring travelers and workers are protected under one set of guidelines.

When does this start?

This order takes effect immediately on January 21, 2021, and sets several deadlines for government agencies to create and report on safety plans.

Agency plans for international travel

Within 14 days of the order, agencies must assess rules for air travel and submit plans for new health measures at land and sea ports of entry.

Progress reports on implementation

Within 7 days of the order, and regularly after that, agencies must update the COVID-19 Response Coordinator on their progress in putting the mask and international travel rules in place.