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Effective from Aug 19, and following the most recent recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), face coverings with exhausts valves or vents will no longer be allowed for travel with American Airlines.
The CDC notes that face coverings with one-way valves or vents allow exhaled air to be expelled through holes in the material. These can allow exhaled respiratory droplets to reach others and potentially spread COVID19.
“Wearing a face covering is a responsibility we all share. An effective covering, worn properly, is one of the best ways we can control the spread of COVID19 to protect our team members and customers,” said Alison Taylor, Chief Customer Officer at American. “Since American began requiring face coverings in early May, the vast majority of customers have welcomed our continuing efforts to strengthen the policy based on the CDC’s guidance.”
American began requiring face coverings on board its flights in May and, in July, announced it would only allow exemptions for customers under 2 years old.
The airline requires all other customers to wear a face covering from the time they enter the airport where their trip begins until they leave the airport where their trip ends.
Based on the updated CDC guidance, below are examples of face coverings customers can and cannot wear while traveling with American.
Allowed:
A well-secured cloth or mask that fits snugly against the face and covers an individual’s nose and mouth. It must be made of a material that prevents the discharge and release of respiratory droplets from a person's nose or mouth.
Not allowed:
-
Face coverings with exhaust valves;
-
Face coverings made with materials such as mesh or lace fabrics;
-
Face coverings that do not cover the nose and mouth; and
- Face shields without the addition of a face covering.
Only children under the age of 2 are exempt from American’s face covering policy.
Customers without an approved face covering will be provided with an approved one, upon request, at the airport. Face coverings can only be briefly removed while the customer is eating or drinking.
Those unwilling to comply with American’s face covering policy at any time during their journey may be denied boarding or barred from future travel for the duration of this policy.
© Asia Travel Tips
11 Comments
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Sh1mon M4sada
I don't know why this is even an issue, a valved facemask was never designed for disease mitigation, it's for construction dust mitigation to the wearer only. Are people wearing valved facemask because they can't get a hold of surgical masks?
Hervé L'Eisa
So, a bandana is OK then. What a joke!
Serrano
Those unwilling to comply with American’s face covering policy at any time during their journey may be denied boarding or barred from future travel for the duration of this policy.
AA is going to lose customers.
OzBurger
I've worked in masks in mouldy & contaminated environments for cleanups.
A mask with a valve is only to protect you. The valve allows your expired air to be pushed out easily, reducing humidity around your face. A mask with a valve offers almost zero protection to others as it allows your cough or sneeze to exit freely. Which is the whole point of the valve.
A mask without a valve keeps out airborne nasties and keeps your nasties on the inside. In a pandemic, this is the better choice, especially in an enclosed environment where others are forced to breathe your expelled air.
FizzBit
Good! Maybe now they’ll come back in stock and I can resupply. I need these for my major house gutting and remodel. Only have 3 left.
KnowBetter
I had been stating this before just about everywhere but people just laughed. Now that the American CDC states exactly the same thing, it makes sense?
Vanessa Carlisle
While I understand that most valved masks have no sort of filter over the valve, do none of them? Cause I would think a filtered valve would be very efficient, functional, and cost effective.
For most nincompoops around the world, trust is based on how they "feel" about you. Best not to call them out on their nincompoopiness or they will feel negative about you. And for the record, logic is not their thing so logic won't help you. You have to compliment them first, perhaps lauding their trust in the CDC, THEN you just neutrally state that you said this before long ago if anyone remembers.
talaraedokko
As we inch toward 1984..
OnTheTrail
I guess social distancing is optional anymore? Seems like if trains and planes are safe with masks only so are sports and shopping and other gatherings indoors where eating and drinking are not the main event.
Hawkeye
Why not post face coverage mask standards and everyone can buy them then we can be compliant and all on the same page?