April 30, 2020 10:20 a.m.
Congressman Peter DeFazio is urging the Federal Aviation Administration to require face masks for passengers and crew members on all flights in the United States.
DeFazio, Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, said as the nation confronts the public health crisis, “it is incumbent on every Federal agency to provide clear, consistent requirements that put the health and well-being of all Americans first”.
DeFazio said he is also asking the FAA to require airlines to adopt “reasonable, sound procedures for ensuring that passengers are spaced at safe distances from one another”. He said that is given new medical findings regarding the transmissibility of the disease. DeFazio said the measures are well within the agency’s jurisdiction. He believes they are also essential to protect frontline airline employees as well as members of the flying public who still must travel.