We are currently living in an era where facemask and social distancing mean everything. With airlines putting stringent rules in place, the pandemic has changed travel to a large extent. However, some people continue to vehemently oppose face masks and coverings. And this can be a big threat to everyone around, especially in closed environments like an aircraft. With this becoming a big issue among travellers, Aeroflot, a Russia’s flag carrier, has allotted a mask-free zone for travellers who don’t wish to wear a facemask.
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The Mask-Free Zones Are Located At The End Of The Aircraft
According to a report in The Independent, Aeroflot, has a dedicated area for “maskless travellers”. This special “mask-free zone” will be located at the very end of the aircraft. This means, travelers who wish to travel mask-free can occupy the last couple of rows on the right-hand side.
An Aeroflot spokesperson was quoted as telling Reuters: “Dedicated seats are allocated to passengers who declare their refusal to use masks after [the aircraft’s] doors close.”
In addition, the airline recently announced that passengers who don’t wear a mask will not be allowed to board. However, people with medical complications are exempt from the rule. The airline also said that travellers must change their masks every three hours during flights.
It is, therefore, understood that the “mask-free section” is reserved for passengers who wear a facemask while boarding the flight, but remove it after take off.
Also read: From Socks To PPE Kit, Things To Wear When You Are Flying During The Pandemic
A week back, internet was abuzz with news about British influencers Molly-Mae Hague and Tommy Fury. The duo were in Dubai and were criticised by YouTube viewers for not wearing face masks. In a video posted Hague’s channel on December 18, the couple were spotted roaming in a taxi, on an Emirates flight and walking through a hotel without covered noses and mouths. The UAE made facemask compulsory in April in order to reduce the spread of new infections.
Also read: 9 Simple In-Flight Routine Steps Every Time You Air Travel During The Pandemic
Fans Reprimand The Pair For Not Following Safety Guidelines
In the 20-minute video, the former Love Island contestant Hague, and the reality TV star and Fury remove their masks to speak to the camera while on-board an Emirates business class flight. They later remove their masks, despite the airline providing a free hygiene kit for all passengers.
The couple, stayed at Jumeirah Al Naseem hotel during their trip to Dubai. Even then, they filmed themselves walking through the resort with no masks at several points in the video. The video has now garnered more than 800,000 views. Hague’s YouTube video was soon flooded with comments reprimanding the pair for not following safety guidelines.
The couple then left the UAE and headed to Maldives. In a video posted on 30 December, the couple were filmed mask-free on a seaplane in Maldives. Maldives has also made it mandatory to wear facemask at the airport and during domestic travel, including seaplanes.
In the video, the couple is seen lowering their masks while in the plane, as well as after departing the aircraft and arriving at the You & Me Maldives resort in the Raa Atoll. Once again, they were criticised by viewers in the video’s comments section.
Also read: COVID-19 Essentials You Must Carry To Ensure Safe Travel