BULLETIN: February 4th, 2021
Federal Mask Mandate:
Sunday evening, January 31, 2021, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) issued a Security Directive to airport operators, aircraft operators, and surface transportation providers. The Security Directives are intended to implement the CDC mask order in accordance with the Executive Order on Promoting COVID-19 Safety in Domestic and International Travel.
The directive becomes effective at 11:59 PM on Monday, February 1, 2021.
Federal law requires wearing a mask at all times in and on the airport and failure to comply may result in removal and denial of re-entry.
Refusing to wear a mask in or on airport property is a violation of federal law; individuals may be subject to penalties under federal law.
Key Messages in the Security Directive:
- By definition, “mask” means a material covering the nose and mouth of the wearer. The mask can be homemade. Face shields are not acceptable.
- The Security Directive requires all individuals in and on the airport wear a mask at all times, and that airport operators to ensure direct employees, tenants, and vendors also wear a mask at all times in or on the airport.
- The directive includes three exemptions:
- Children under the age of 2.
- People with disabilities who cannot wear a mask, or cannot safely wear a mask, because of the disability as defined by the American with Disabilities Act.
- People for whom wearing a mask would create a risk to workplace health, safety, or job duty as determined by the relevant workplace safety guidelines or federal requirements.
SECURITY DIRECTION LINK:
https://airportscouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/SD-1542-21-01-and-Transmittal-Memo.pdf
CDC MASK ORDER:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/face-masks-public-transportation.html
EXECUTIVE ORDER:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/01/21/executive-order-promoting-covid-19-safety-in-domestic-and-international-travel/
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About Fairbanks International Airport
Fairbanks International Airport is the gateway to Alaska’s interior and Denali National Park. It represents one-half of the Alaska International Airport System and served more than a million passengers in 2019. We are equipped to handle any size and type of aircraft, anytime, with state-of-the-art landing systems and terminal facilities. Totaling 1,900 jobs, FAI accounts for 1 in 20 jobs in Fairbanks.
About DOT&PF
The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities oversees 235 airports, 10 ferries serving 35 communities, over 5,600 miles of highway and 731 public facilities throughout the state of Alaska. The mission of the department is to "Keep Alaska Moving through service and infrastructure."
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