No-mask passengers chased off planes? Aeroflot has introduced a mask-free zone
Just a few weeks ago, the story of the family removed from the plane because the little girl, only 2 years old, [...]
Aeroflot
SkyTeam
Just a few weeks ago, the story of the family removed from the plane because the little girl, only 2 years old, would not wear a mask (we told you about it here). Responsible for the incident was United Airlines, which later justified itself in an official statement, "The health and safety of our employees and customers is our top priority. That is why there are policies on multiple levels, such as mandating that all passengers wear a mask, from two years of age onward."
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But if children refuse to wear the mask on a whim, or because they are too young to understand its usefulness, adults no-mask are many. So many of them. And many of them take the plane. Hence, the idea of Aeroflot to introduce a mask-free zone.
No-mask, Aeroflot's decision.
Like all other airlines, the Aeroflot enforces mask use on board. However, in order to cope with the no-maskers (and the unrest they cause, when they refuse to wear their masks and are kicked out, with all the delays that entails), Aeroflot has decided to "confine" them to a zone of their own.
When the aircraft doors close, passengers who do not intend to wear masks are moved to a defiladed area. Specifically, the last two rows on the right side of Economy Class. However, this is an "extreme" choice. One cannot choose at the time of booking to sit in the mask-free zone, and one cannot even inform the flight crew of one's no-mask "faith." Those two rows are simply a last resort, a place to seat passengers who refuse the mask without endangering the health of others. And without having to return to the gate, accumulating delays and creating inconvenience.
Photo: Facebook @aeroflot
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Aeroflot's policy is clear, after all: one cannot board an airplane without a mask covering both nose and mouth. Only during meals can it be lowered and every three hours it must be replaced. Mask-free seats are "reserved" for those who board with their mask on but, once on board, refuse to keep it on. Is it the ultimate solution? Probably not, since the no-maskers remain within striking distance of those who wear a mask. But it is a pretty big patch for a situation that is not exactly easy to manage.
Stories of passengers turned away
There is no Only the two-year-old girl removed amid cries (and scandal). American Airlines, for example, pulled a passenger off the plane on the New York - Dallas flight. "After the passenger refused to comply with the instructions provided by the flight crew, members of our team asked him to get off the plane. The flight departed only four minutes late," the company explained in a note.
Not wearing a face mask, moreover, also exposes you to long-term consequences. American Airlines and United, for example, have decided to Ban no-mask passengers forever.. To date, already a hundred people have been affected by the measure. U.S. airlines, for that matter, have a few more difficulties: there is no real regulation, to which all must adhere, and each carrier tries to defend itself as best it can.
In Europe, however, the ECDC (European Center for Disease Prevention and Control) and EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency) have established guidelines. However, each individual company can choose the minimum age from which to impose the face mask and introduce exceptions. When in doubt, wearing it is the wisest choice.
