SEATTLE — Alaska Airlines will now require all passengers and employees to wear face masks.
The company announced Friday that passengers will be required to wear masks starting May 11.
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Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air employees who cannot maintain 6 feet of social distance during interactions with guests or co-workers will also be required to wear masks starting Monday.
“These policies were made to align with the CDC recommendations and to keep our guests and employees safe,” the company said.
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Guests will be expected to bring their own masks and more details will be shared with travelers prior to their flight date. Employees will be provided with reusable masks.
“Safety is our most important value at Alaska Airlines, and thanks to our employees we have an incredibly safe operation. In light of COVID-19, we’re in a new era and are continually updating our safety standards to better protect our guests and employees. For now, this includes wearing masks, which is another layer of protection that can reduce the spread of the virus,” said Max Tidwell, Alaska Airlines’ vice president of safety.
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Alaska has also expanded cleaning on flights, installed social distancing decals at airports to remind travelers and employees to remain separated by 6 feet and limited the number of passengers onboard by blocking middle seats on large aircrafts and aisle seats on small aircrafts through May 31.