PARIS: French flag-carrier Air France on Monday announced that masks would be compulsory on its flights from next week as France emerges from its lockdown to combat the coronavirus outbreak.

May 11 will see the first easing of the lockdown in France but the government has made clear people will have to wear masks on public transport.

“In line with French instructions making the wearing of a mask compulsory on public transport, Air France will ask its customers to wear a mask throughout their journey as from 11 May 2020,” it said in a statement. Passengers would have to provide their own masks, the airline said, adding they would be notified prior to flights “to ensure they possess one or more masks for their trip.” The airline said it would implement “physical distancing” on board where possible and “the current low load factors” currently ease this process.

Published in Dawn, May 5th, 2020