While Canada already has made this mandatory across their country, the US currently does not have a ruling on people wearing face coverings during flight. So, that leaves it to the airlines to make these decisions and JetBlue has made the decision to require all passengers to cover their faces – throughout the travel process.
JetBlue Requiring Face Coverings
This new rule goes into effect May 4 and it will require all passengers to cover their mouths and noses during all phases of the travel with JetBlue. They are not asking passengers to wear N95 masks and surgical masks – in fact, they are deferring to the CDC with this as well, saying that these should be used by medical professionals.
So, you can wear any type of covering as long as it meets the following measures from the CDC (bolding mine):
CDC guidance defines a suitable face covering as an item of cloth that should fit snugly against the side of the face, be secured with ties or ear loops, include multiple layers of fabric and allow for unrestricted breathing. The CDC recommends surgical masks and N-95 respirators be reserved for healthcare workers and other medical first responders.
This is to be used at all phases of travel with JetBlue and that includes during check-in, boarding, while in flight and deplaning. JetBlue will remind passengers about the need to bring their own masks/coverings in e-mail before the flight commences.
Small children are exempt from this but everyone older than this category will need to wear such a covering.
Will this make you more or less likely to fly with JetBlue after May 4?
Featured image courtesy Chris Parypa Photography via Shutterstock
