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The next time you travel by plane, you may need to do more than just remember to bring your mask. You may need to remember to bring the correct type and leave those sheet masks at home.
Several airlines, mostly European carriers, are banning sheet masks, according to the Washington Post. Carriers will insist that travelers wear surgical masks, valve-less KN95 or N95 masks, or FFP2 masks.
Finnair was the last European airline to ban cloth masks, while other carriers such as Lufthansa have been implementing policies like this since February 1. Air France also requires surgical masks during flights.
US airlines are more forgiving, however, even as the Delta variant spreads. To date, no US aircraft carrier has banned cloth masks.
“The filtration efficiency of sheet masks is generally lower than that of medical masks and respirators; However, sheet masks can offer some protection if they are designed well and used correctly, ”the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said last year.
US airlines, however, restrict other types of face coverings. Almost all of them prohibit the use of ski masks, scarves and bandanas.
According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), masks are currently required at airports, planes, trains, buses, and all other forms of public transportation in the United States until at least mid-January 2022.
N95 masks were once hard to find because they were in high demand at the start of the pandemic, but now many are currently available.
KN95 masks are a cheaper alternative, as long as they “meet requirements similar to those set by the CDC’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) for respirators,” according to the CDC.
Several reputable merchants specialize in selling NIOSH certified N95 and KN95 masks with reasonably fast shipping, including companies like N95 Medical Supplies, N95MaskCo, and Well Before.
Stories related to masks:
What is the difference between the N95 and KN95 masks?
Where to buy N95 masks as a Delta variant of COVID surges
Should I wear an N95 mask when traveling?
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Katherine Rodriguez can be contacted at [email protected]. Do you have any advice? Tell us at nj.com/tips.
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