Passengers looking for a respite from face masks have a longer wait ahead as regional carrier Caribbean Airlines Limited (CAL) is maintaining its mask mandate. 

According to a Wednesday (April 20) statement, while understanding the position of the United States with respect to the now optional use of masks during travel, the threat of the coronavirus (COVID-19) still looms for islands of the Caribbean.

As such, Caribbean Airlines disclosed that onboard its aeroplanes, masks are still a compulsory prerequisite.

CAL’s decision to extend the masking mandate is also largely due to public health laws stipulated by the Keith Rowley administration in Trinidad and Tobago, under which the company operates its regional headquarters.

See the statement in full below: 

“In keeping with the Public Health Ordinance as outlined in law by the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, where Caribbean Airlines Limited is headquartered, the airline advises that wearing a face mask onboard Caribbean Airlines flights remains a requirement. 

The United States district court ruling of April 18, 2022, makes mask-wearing optional at US airports and terminal buildings. 

However, onboard Caribbean Airlines’ aircraft and in most Caribbean destinations wearing a face mask is still mandatory. 

The airline thanks its customers for their continued cooperation and understanding, as we work to keep each other safe from COVID-19.”

The US no longer enforced its nationwide mask mandate on public transportation after a federal judge in Florida on Monday (April 18) ruled that the 14-month-old directive was unlawful, overturning a key White House effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

• READ: The US will no longer enforce mask mandate on airplanes, trains

In a July 2020 advisory, Caribbean Airlines first announced its mask mandate. 

“We require all customers to wear a face mask/covering throughout their entire journey at all Caribbean Airlines touch-points from check-in at the airport, departure gate areas, jet bridges and onboard the aircraft for the duration of the flight,” the company said at the time.

“This requirement is compulsory. Refusal to comply shall result in customers being denied boarding by the airline; except in the case of children under the age of two years, or adults who have a medical condition which prevents them from using a mask,” added CAL.