Association of Flight Attendants Union President Sara Nelson is calling on federal officials to make it mandatory for protective face masks for both crew and passengers on all flights.
Nelson voiced her requests in a letter to the secretaries of both the U.S. Transportation Dept. and the Dept. of Health and Human Services departments.
"Since flight attendant ability to practice social distancing is challenging in the aircraft cabin and on most other forms of public transportation, it is essential that we wear masks as often as possible so long as COVID-19 remains a threat to public health," she said in a letter.
In less than a day, United Airlines quickly complied.
The carrier became the first of the big four U.S. airlines to require that its flight attendants wear face masks - either commercial face masks or homemade nose-and-mouth coverings - while they're on duty. This fresh mandate extends a previous policy requiring flight crew to wear face masks only on international flights serving COVID-19 hot spots.
On its website, United stated, "In coordination with the AFA - starting on April 24 - we will require that all flight attendants wear a face covering or mask to help protect themselves and customers on board our aircraft."
Nelson also asked the government to temporarily ban leisure travel until the coronavirus pandemic is under control.
"Airlines are continuing to deliver people, mail, and cargo, uniting families that are grieving or rushing to be with those who have fallen ill, and transporting others who require medical treatment unrelated to the pandemic. These are some of the many essential services provided by aviation to all of our communities - large and small - that must be maintained as the pandemic continues," she wrote. "We believe that protecting this essential service and ensuring air travel is not aiding in spread of the virus requires a halt to all leisure travel until the pandemic is brought under control according to health authorities."
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