LATAM airlines bans passengers wearing masks with exhalation valves

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – LATAM airlines has decided to ban certain types of face masks on its flights, following recommendations from organizations such as the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the World Health Organization (WHO). The use of masks with exhalation valves, mouth guards, scarves, and cloth bandanas is forbidden on all LATAM flights, which says that these models are not effective against the spread of covid-19.

The measure comes into effect on March 1st, the company said in a statement this month. The models accepted by the company are: surgical masks, FFP2 (KN95) with no valves; FFP3 (N95) with no valves, and cloth masks (with no valves). The company recalls that it is the passengers’ responsibility to arrange the protection.

“Passengers who check in for boarding with non-standard masks will not be allowed to board unless they have them or replace them with one of the permitted alternatives,” LATAM noted. The company also emphasizes that travelers must observe all requirements demanded by destination countries, in the case of international flights.

A study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showed that ensuring that the mask is firmly positioned on the face and wearing two masks are ways to significantly reduce exposure to the novel coronavirus.

Source: Exame

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