COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) – The CDC drew up a mask mandate in late January for people traveling on airlines and public transportation. If the mask command is not followed up, you may also be fined.
Several airlines in the US now allow some passengers to fly without a mask if they meet certain qualifications. Both American Airlines and Alaska Airlines customers are required to wear masks while traveling unless they meet certain criteria that could exempt them from the mandate.
According to their website, American Airlines says customers should wear masks during their journey, including at the airport and on board the plane. Children under the age of two remain exempt from the mask requirement.
For passengers with disabilities who cannot wear masks, American asks them to notify the airline’s Special Assistance team at least 72 hours prior to departure to request an exemption.
Exemptions require:
- Documentation from a licensed healthcare provider,
- Evidence of a negative COVID-19 test taken within three calendar days of departure or evidence of recovery from COVID-19.
American Airlines has also updated its guidelines for acceptable mask types and will ban bandanas and leggings. You can read more about American Airlines requirements here.
Alaska Airlines is another airline with exceptions to the mask requirement. The airline will require passengers to wear masks at all times when traveling, including the flight, when boarding and disembarking, and when traveling through an airport.
If you have a disability and cannot wear a mask, you can call the airlines at least five days before your flight to apply for an exemption from the mask requirement.
Exemptions require:
- Documentation from a licensed healthcare provider about your inability to wear a mask because of your disability; and
- Evidence of a negative test result from an FDA-approved NAAT or PCR Covid-19 molecular test administered within 72 hours of your scheduled flight departure.
You can read more about travel information for Alaska Airlines here.
Copyright 2021 KKTV. All rights reserved.