Lufthansa Group is tightening the exemptions from mask requirements onboard their flights to include a medical certificate and a negative Covid-19 test.
Previously, exceptions to wearing masks were only applied to people suffering from a serious medical condition, pre-approved by a certified physician. Now, Lufthansa (LHAB) (LHA) is tightening the rules further. In order to remain without a face covering during a flight, a passenger will have to present a negative COVID-19 test, made no later/earlier than 48 hours before the start of a trip.
The statement was released on August 24, 2020, and the new policy is set to come into effect across all Lufthansa Group’s airlines from September 1, 2020. This includes all previously booked flights from all passengers who plan to fly with Lufthansa (LHAB) (LHA), Brussels Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Eurowings and Swiss International Air Lines.
The airline group was also among the first to offer PCR Corona testing in Frankfurt airport (FRA), providing an opportunity to its passengers to pay for tests and avoid self-quarantine.
During the pandemic, the company experienced an 80% revenue drop and a net loss of €1.7 billion ($2 billion) in Q2, 2020. Lufthansa (LHAB) (LHA) has also launched “ReNew” program, under which the company already axed 8,300 employees with 22,000 more to follow.
