President Biden will enforce quarantine measures for international travelers and mandate masks on airplanes

Today, President Joe Biden is signing executive orders that will require face coverings on all flights and mandate quarantine for anyone entering the United States from abroad.

During a news conference this afternoon, Biden stated, "We will take necessary measures to curb the spread of the virus now."

He emphasized that wearing a mask is a "patriotic duty" and declared that masks will be mandatory on all trains, planes, and buses.

The president stated that anyone flying into the United States "must test before boarding the plane and quarantine upon arrival in America."

The final specifics of the air travel quarantine requirement are still being finalized, based on guidance from the Department of Health and Human Services, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Biden has requested these agencies to provide their recommendations on the duration of the quarantine, as well as the appropriate testing methods and timing for travelers, within the next 14 days.

The Biden administration is also specifically asking the agencies to evaluate and suggest measures to address potential testing fraud and how to accommodate travelers coming from countries where testing may be limited.

For those entering the U.S. by land, a similar recommendation process will involve the departments of Homeland Security and Transportation. Suggestions for maritime travel will be partially provided by the Coast Guard.

The executive order also sets the stage for the development of "vaccine passports," which travelers can utilize as proof of vaccination when they are prepared to travel, including a digital version of these passports.

Today's announcements build on a previous policy from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced on January 12, which mandates that all passengers arriving in the United States must present a negative COVID-19 test before boarding their flights starting January 26.

The White House has published nearly 200 pages of documents outlining the changes in what it refers to as the "National Strategy for the COVID-19 response and Pandemic Preparedness."

The document states, in part: "... the president issued an executive order mandating mask use on specific public transportation modes and at U.S. entry points ... International air travel necessitates a recent negative COVID-19 test before departure and quarantine upon arrival, in line with CDC guidelines. The executive order also instructs agencies to explore options for enhancing public health measures for domestic travel and cross-border land and sea journeys, while calling for incentives to promote adherence to CDC guidelines in public transportation."