Multiple business groups are urging federal officials to adopt national standards for when to require people to wear face masks and take other steps to prevent disease transmission.

The push comes as hopes for a reopening of the country have dimmed as COVID-19 cases soar in the U.S, according to The Washington Post. The problem has been made worse by people failing to take preventive measures and the Trump administration's mixed messages on the subject.

The recent spike in cases has been particularly discouraging for the travel industry, which will not be able to fully recover until people feel it is safe to travel again.

"Travel can't come back unless people act responsibly," Tori Barnes, executive vice president for public affairs and policy at the U.S. Travel Association, told the Post.

Seven business groups—including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, National Retail Federation and National Association of Manufacturers—sent a letter to Congress on July 2 urging the adoption of nationwide standards for mandatory face covering policies, saying that current state and local government requirements "vary widely in scope, application and enforcement."

In addition, U.S. Travel, the Chamber and multiple other business groups have signed onto the "Back to Normal Barometer," a privately run market research consortium monitoring COVID-19's effects on the U.S. economy, the Post reported.

The Chamber has also thrown its support behind federal efforts to shore up child care and mass transit. The group believes both are the two greatest obstacles to getting employees back to work.

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