New York – JetBlue will soon require all passengers to wear a face covering while they travel amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The policy, which starts May 4, is modeled on the U.S. Centers for Disease Control guidelines that all people should wear a face covering in public to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

All JetBlue passengers will be required to wear a covering over their nose and mouth throughout all phases of the journey, including check-in, boarding, while in flight and deplaning.

The airline has been requiring all crew members to wear face coverings while they are working.

“Wearing a face covering isn’t about protecting yourself, it’s about protecting those around you,” said Joanna Geraghty, JetBlue’s president and chief operating officer. “This is the new flying etiquette..”

JetBlue customers will be reminded of this requirement before their flight via email and at the airport by both terminal signage and announcements.

Small children who are not able to maintain a face covering are exempt from this requirement.

Since late March, JetBlue has limited the number of seats available for sale on most flights, which allows the airline to provide additional space between passengers who are not traveling together. The airline reviews seat assignments before each flight to ensure as much distancing as possible.

In addition, rows near crew member jump seats have been blocked off to create buffer zones for added crew member and customer safety.

All JetBlue planes are equipped with hospital grade high-efficiency air particulate filters. HEPA filters are capable of removing 99.97% of particles, bacteria and viruses.

Since the COVID-19 outbreak began in the United States, JetBlue has increased its aircraft cleanings at night and between flights. Cleanings have been focused on the places customers and crew members touch the most, including seat covers, seatbelts, tray tables and armrests.(MSN)

To learn about all the additional measures JetBlue has implemented, click this link.