Most countries battling COVID-19 have adopted safety regulations to prevent the virus from spreading. This includes wearing a face mask when in public. The United States released health guidelines recommending that everyone wears a mask in public but according to Sky News, this is not a law.
American Airlines banned a passenger from future flying for not wearing a mask.
American Airlines recently removed a man named Brandon Straka from a plane after he refused to wear a mask. Straka boarded a flight departing from New York to Dallas and would not comply with crew members’ request to wear a mask.
He was then taken back to the airport’s departure gate and is banned from future flying with the airline.
Straka took to Twitter to share the incident:
I was just removed from my flight for not wearing a mask. 1st time this has happened. Not a federal law. @AmericanAir staff standing over me telling me it’s THE LAW. So much for “please respect those who can not wear a mask”. When I pointed out this wasn’t a law I was removed.
— Brandon Straka (@BrandonStraka) June 17, 2020
— Brandon Straka (@BrandonStraka) June 17, 2020
American Airlines responded by maintaining that wearing a mask is their company policy. ‘We expect customers who choose to fly with us to comply with these policies, and if necessary, we will deny future travel for customers who refuse to do so,’ the airline told Sky News.
‘Restricting travel is a step we take very seriously, and it will only occur after a comprehensive review of the facts of an incident. Mr Straka will be permitted to fly with us once face coverings are no longer required for customers.’
To ensure everyone’s well-being and that you are traveling in the safest way possible, face coverings are required on board. pic.twitter.com/8Aex1yf4ao
— americanair (@AmericanAir) June 12, 2020
In South Africa, residents are urged to wear a cloth mask when out in public and guidelines can be viewed here. SAPS spokesperson, Vishnu Naidoo explained to Africa Check that ‘it is not a crime if one doesn’t wear a mask.’
Image credit: Twitter/@spotter_airline
