Mandatory masks policy for Canadian planes not working: passenger

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — Two of Canada’s largest airlines are facing criticism from some passengers over their approach to COVID-19 precautions.

Both Air Canada and WestJet abandoned their physical distancing seating policies on July 1 in favour of making wearing masks or face-coverings mandatory.

But Maureen Isabel Green, a healthcare worker who recently took an Air Canada flight from Vancouver to Fredericton, said the mask policy was not being effectively enforced.

“There were some people who were taking their mask-wearing seriously. There were many others who weren’t. Specifically, upfront, there were a few younger guys who put their masks down and pretty much talked the whole time,” she said.

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Regarding the changes, the airlines pointed to health recommendations from the International Air Transport Association. The trade group called for an end to in-flight physical distancing rules last month, proposing a range of other measures instead.

Meanwhile, a new poll from Leger and the Association Of Canadian Studies found 72 per cent of respondents say they are not comfortable flying with the airlines now that physical distancing has been eliminated.