Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued the nationwide mask mandate, which took effect Feb. 1. It said that federal authorities and officials at the state and local level will enforce the mandate to ensure compliance. Failure to abide by the new mask mandate will result in criminal penalties.
According to the CDC order, a mask should “completely [cover] the nose and mouth,” be “secured to the head [using] ties or ear loops” and “fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face.” It also mentioned that masks should consist of “a solid piece of material without slits, exhalation valves or punctures.” Medical masks and N-95 respirators are automatically deemed compliant to this new mandate.