Letter to the Hon. Norris Cochran, Acting Secretary of Health and Human Services, Karl Schultz, US Coast Guard Admiral, and Rochelle Walensky, Director of the Centers for Disease Control - RELEASE: Wittman and Harris call on the Biden Administration to clarify confusing COVID-19 restrictions on Commercial Fishermen
Letter
Dear Secretary Cochran,
We are writing to echo the concerns of many of our constituents who make their living on the water, as fishermen, charter boat operators, or watermen. A recent federal transportation mask mandate has been extended to all modes of transportation including commercial fishing vessels. The implications of this new mandate appear overly burdensome to many and certainly unclear to those it is intended to protect and in need of immediate clarification.
As a result of President Biden's January 21, 2021 Executive Order (13998), follow-on orders from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), "Requirement for Persons to Wear Masks While on Conveyances and at Transportation Hubs" and United States Coast Guard (USCG) Marine Safety Information Bulletin 02-21 a federal mask mandate has been broadly extended/interpreted to include all commercial maritime vessels, without exception or reasonable accommodations.
While we certainly share the desired aim of reducing the spread of COVID-19, this unclear and overly broad mandate has led to confusion and frustration for commercial watermen, party boat operators, fisherman and others. This mandate as currently devised is simply unnecessary, unworkable and/or impractical for certain maritime modes of transportation, like fishing vessels.
Fortunately, we are seeing a decreasing number of COVID-19 cases and a rapidly expanding vaccination program that points to an ongoing recovery from the pandemic. With spring and summer fishing seasons approaching we ask for clarification and further guidance on these new requirements that don't impose unnecessary restrictions, needlessly increase enforcement actions and reflect the reality of the low prevalence environment on outdoor working fishing vessels.
Thank you for your prompt and timely consideration of this important matter impacting the livelihood of a robust and vital maritime economy.
CC: Admiral Karl L. Schultz, U.S. Coast Guard
Director Rochelle P. Walensky, MD, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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