Delta Airlines will require passengers who are unable to wear face masks to obtain a medical evaluation

07/20/2020 Health


The enhanced policy adds another layer of protection for passengers who are already required to wear masks during flights, during boarding, and in Delta’s waiting areas. If they don’t comply, they face a ban on future flights.

“We encourage clients who are unable to wear a mask due to a health condition to reconsider travel,” the statement said. “If they decide to travel, they can fly by completing a virtual consultation before leaving at the airport to ensure everyone’s safety, because nothing is more important.”

The virtual consultation will be conducted over the phone privately by STAT-MD, which “provides emergency consultations during the flight, as well as assessment of fitness to fly on the ground,” according to that company’s website. Delta will use the evaluation result to determine if the passenger can fly without a mask.
In June, Delta (DAL) such passengers who do not comply with the mask or other safety requirements “risk future flight privileges with Delta.”
Delta is one of many US airlines that have recently tried to strengthen the use of masks while flying. United Airlines announced in June that those who reject a mask could be included on a restricted travel list. And American Airlines has asked all passengers, except for children and people with disabilities or for medical reasons that prevent them from wearing masks, to wear face covers while on the plane.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian said in a memo to employees last month that the airline had already “banned some passengers from traveling in Delta in the future for refusing to wear masks on board.”
Despite airline rules, Bastian has called for more federal government regulations to promote the use of masks. Bastian told Poppy Harlow for CNN’s Boss Files that he believes the government should make it a mandate.

“We have had those conversations with the White House,” he said.

“I’m so sorry,” added Bastian. “But I’m not sure that some of my peers and other airlines feel the same way. So, in practical terms, I’m not sure it’s going to happen.”

The White House had no comment on the matter at the time.

Transportation secretary Elaine Chao said at a June 3 event organized by Politico that she opposed a federal requirement on masks. She said the problem should be decided by airlines and union frontline workers, who are on the front line of the problem and are at greatest risk if the coronavirus spreads on planes.

“When the federal government gets involved, we tend to be much tougher, we tend to be inflexible, and once we establish a rule, it takes a long time to remove that rule if conditions change,” Chao explained.

CNN’s Chuck Johnston contributed to this report.

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