Biden calls on states to keep mask mandates, pause reopenings
By Brett Samuels - 03/29/21 03:05 PM EDT President Biden on Monday urged state and local officials to reconsider lifting their coronavirus restrictions and to reinstate mask mandates that have lapsed as the U.S. faces an increase in cases.
"I'm reiterating my call for every governor, mayor and local leader to maintain and reinstate the mask mandate," Biden said at an event intended to highlight the rapid increase in vaccine eligibility. "Please, this is not politics. Reinstate the mandate if you let it down.
Asked later if some states should pause re-opening efforts, Biden said "yes."
Upon taking office, he issued a call for Americans to mask up for the first 100 days of his administration, arguing that doing so would help curb COVID-19 cases while the country ramped up vaccinations.
States have aggressively started lifting mask mandates and easing restrictions on businesses and events in recent weeks as vaccine availability steadily increases, prompting concern from some in the federal government.
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https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/545426-biden-calls-on-states-to-keep-mask-mandates-pause-reopenings