The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) latest order requiring masks while traveling extends to airports, FBOs, and commercial aircraft operations, including Part 135 charter operators, business aviation advocates are advising.

The order took effect today and applies to those traveling into, within, or out of the U.S. It calls on applicable facility or aircraft operators to do their best to ensure passengers are wearing masks before they enter a facility or board an aircraft and monitor to ensure masks remain worn, the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) said. Further, operators should disembark passengers who refuse. In addition, operators must provide notification of federal requirements regarding masks. The notification can be via digital, print, audio, or other means, NATA added.

Exemptions for the requirement include brief periods for eating, drinking, or taking medications; communications involving a person who is hearing impaired; times where oxygen masks may be needed on board; travelers who are unconscious or incapacitated; children under the age of two; times of traveler identification; and cases involving people who cannot safely wear masks.

Part 91 operations are exempt, as are crewmembers, when wearing a mask would create a risk to workplace health, safety, or job duty, NBAA said, adding, “The FAA interprets this to include pilots or crewmembers seated at their duty station.”

“This CDC order brings the force of a government mandate to business practices already in place around much of the country,” said Brian Koester, NBAA director of flight operations and regulations. “Aircraft operators and FBO managers should review the order with their personnel to ensure compliance. Having a formal mandate from the federal government should assist operators and FBOs in ensuring compliance with appropriate mask practices.”

“America’s transportation systems are essential,” said CDC director Dr. Rochelle Walensky in announcing the order. “Given how interconnected most transportation systems are across our nation and the world, when infected persons travel on public conveyances without wearing a mask and with others who are not wearing masks, the risk of interstate and international transmission can grow quickly.”

The mask order follows an order requiring proof of a recent negative Covid-19 test (or recovery from the virus) before entry into the U.S. and prohibitions from entry from certain countries.