What CDC’s Latest Mask Announcement Means to Me

Last week, the CDC stated fully vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance. We have received a number of queries about the CDC announcement, particularly the guidance that states vaccinated people no longer need to wear masks when indoors.

So what does this mean for your tours and your passengers?

The loosened guidelines do not apply to airports, airplanes, trains and fixed route and scheduled service buses, where federal rules still require all travelers to wear masks. This directive comes from the TSA mandate, which also states that travelers are required to wear masks in bus and rail stations as well as airports. This rule is in place until Sept. 14, 2021, unless or until the federal government modifies it.

Note, the mask wearing mandate for charter and tour buses came from the CDC, whose authority to the enforce the mandate was less clear. The DOT and TSA have stated previously they will not be enforcing the CDC’s mandate on charter buses.

It is a good practice to refer back to the CDC's FAQs on public transportation as new questions and answers are added frequently.

About the American Bus Association

The American Bus Association (ABA) is the trade organization of the intercity bus industry, with more than 1,000 motorcoach and tour company members in the United States and Canada. Its members operate charter, tour, regular route, airport express, special operations and contract services. Another 2,800 members are travel and tourism organizations and suppliers of bus products and services who work in partnership with the North American motorcoach industry.

Contact

Melanie Hinton, Vice President, Communications & Marketing, ABA
Office: (202) 218-7220
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)