BOSTON — Flying is looking a whole lot different during this pandemic. Airlines are making sure to keep passengers and their employees safe. For those that need to travel, facial coverings are a common sight.
“This is a new one and this is one that’s shaking people up. It’s keeping people off of the airplanes and out of the airports," said Nanci Lane, owner of Park Plaza Travel.
Right now, it’s not mandatory on all airlines but JetBlue said starting May 4, all its travelers will be required to wear facial coverings.
"Wearing a face covering isn’t about protecting yourself it’s about protecting those around you," said Joanna Geraghty, president and CEO of JetBlue.
Other airlines like American and Delta aren’t making masks mandatory but said they’ll provide facial coverings to its passengers prior to boarding. American even says it’ll hand out sanitizing wipes or gel.
“If it means me putting on gloves and masks just to kind of go with the status quo of what’s going on now, I’m completely fine with that just to get out and be back to being our adventurous selves," said Matthew Stover of Norwood.
Plexiglass is a common sight at supermarket checkouts. Now, TSA workers are also being protected behind the plexiglass shields. Logan, Worcester and Nantucket airports all protecting its agents behind what some refer to as “sneeze screens."
Travel, as we once knew it, is a thing of the past. Social distancing and masks are the new normal.
"I think they know that sooner or later, they’re (travelers are) going to have to make the decision to fly again for business, vacation or leisure or just basically to go and visit loved ones in other cities," said Lane.
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