Westjet has announced a ramp up of enforcement measures designed to limit the spread of COVID-19. (Westjet)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

NO MASK, NO FLY

Passengers refusing to wear mask face one year ban on WestJet flights

Aug 28, 2020 | 10:12 AM

NANAIMO — WestJet travellers will soon be subject to stricter rules about the use of masks.

The airline introduced a zero tolerance mask policy on Friday, Aug. 28 which is set to take effect next week on Sept.1.

It will see increased enforcement for travellers not wearing face coverings as mandated by Transport Canada since late April for use on planes and inside airports.

Passengers who fail to wear a mask prior to takeoff will be first asked to wear one by cabin crew, then formally warned before being removed from the flight and placed on a 12 month no-fly list.

The no-fly list includes all WestJet flights and regional carriers but does not extend to other airlines.

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“Masks are mandated by our regulator and the vast majority of our guests are happy to keep themselves and each other safe by complying,” Ed Sims, WestJet CEO said in a statement. “This enhanced policy provides clarity on how we will enforce the regulation for those who don’t.”

Exceptions will be made for health reasons, however they must be outlined in a signed note from a doctor.

Passengers will also be allowed to temporarily remove their masks while eating and drinking.

The airline also announced increased contact tracing efforts in line with new measures to limit unknown transmission of COVID-19.

The new measures include names and contact information for all passengers at check-in which is then shared with public health.

A statement from provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said the effort will help fix a serious problem health officials have faced.

“Our contact tracers have had challenges reaching people who were exposed to the virus while flying-because of the limited information available on traditional flight manifests,” she said.

“(This) is a policy that will keep our communities…safer during this pandemic.”

WestJet restored its Nanaimo to Calgary service in June following mass cancellations through March and April.

Regular service to and from Vancouver has not resumed.

Air Canada said it has a layered approach to dealing with people refusing to wear a mask, but have not laid out a concrete set of rules or conditions outside of Transport Canada’s regulations.

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