LATAM Airlines Group has announced the mandatory use of masks, for both passengers and cabin crew members from May 11
The measures have been implemented following the recommendations by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) for safe travel.
The regulation for mandatory use of face masks was already being followed for all flights in Chile since mid-April. It will now be extended across all of LATAM?s domestic and international flights.
However, the responsibility of acquiring masks will lie with the passengers.
LATAM will provide its workers, crew and team members with personal protection equipment (PPE) such as masks, gloves and hand sanitiser. The airline has also modified part of its maintenance operation in Brazil and Chile, for the production of masks which will be used by the teams.
The company has implemented separate guidelines for checking in, boarding and landing, to maximise safety; such as keeping a distance of 1.5 metres between passengers, thorough cleaning and disinfecting of the passenger service area, use of self-service terminals to avoid face-to-face check-ins and the use of digital boarding passes wherever possible. LATAM has recommended the use of masks even in common areas of airports.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, LATAM has reinforced the importance of cleanliness on all flights, and regulated hygiene protocols among those on board. They also recommend reducing interaction between passengers and crew members on flight. Hand sanitisers are also available on all their aircrafts.
After landing, the aircraft is stipulated to be cleaned thoroughly, and improved methods of luggage collection will be practised, allowing for social distancing.
Image credit: Anna Zvereva
