American Airlines will make all employees wear face masks or coverings ahead of a requirement that passengers have coverings on Monday.
The Fort Worth-based airline has also started to take temperatures for employees in some locations, including at DFW International Airport using touchless sensors.
Starting Friday, employees will have to don face coverings when interacting with customers or within view of customers. Those in non-public settings won’t have to wear a face mask if they can keep six feet of distance between other employees.
By Monday, all major airlines will require passengers to wear face coverings of some kind starting Monday in an attempt to slow the spread of COVID-19 while flying. The new rules should help prevent the virus in airport settings, even if the airline can’t control passengers off of planes.
“We continue to refine our approach to account for updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other health officials,” said a statement from American. "That’s why, last month, we began providing face masks for team members who wanted to wear them while at work. That’s also why, beginning May 8, face coverings will be required for all team members when 6 feet of social distance can’t be maintained at work.”
Employees will also need to wear face masks or social distance in break areas.
American will allow employees to bring their own face coverings or can be brought from home.
American Airlines made face masks at airport locations include DFW, Philadelphia and Miami in April when face masks were in shorter supply.
The rules include American’s regional subsidiaries, a total of about 130,000 employees.
American flight attendants have been required to wear face masks since May 1 and pilots are strongly encouraged to wear face masks, although they are not required to in cockpits.
The company is making exceptions for employees that have medical conditions.
American said it has been testing temperatures at a handful of airport locations including DFW, Miami, Phoenix Sky Harbor and Philadelphia. It expanded temperature checks this week to Charlotte and Los Angeles airports.
Employees get the temperature checks with the touchless thermometers when they arrive at work.
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