Qantas decision to fill Australian flights to capacity condemned by infectious disease experts

Qantas’s decision to make mask-wearing on flights optional has been slammed by infectious disease experts as the airline announces it will not reduce passenger numbers to allow physical distancing. The announcement comes as the airline prepares to ramp up its domestic flight schedule when interstate borders ease. From 12 June Qantas will roll out its “fly well” program, which includes contactless check-in, extra hand sanitiser at airports and rearranging the Qantas lounge to increase physical distancing. Once travellers board the plane, however, these social distancing measures disappear. The company confirmed plans to fill planes to capacity, with customers sitting directly next to each other. The Qantas Group CE, Alan Joyce, said it would not be financially viable to provide social distancing on flights. But the airline will put other safety measures in place. Boarding and disembarking would be coordinated to avoid crowds, moving around the cabin would be discouraged, food services limited, and alcohol wipes and a face mask would be provided to every passenger. Qantas will recommend masks be worn but will not make it mandatory. Professor Marylouise McLaws, an epidemiologist and infectious disease expert at the University of New South Wales, said the decision “fails the test of logic”. “Preventing Covid-19 is a bundle of many things. It’s staying at home when you’re unwell, it’s hand hygiene, plus social distancing, plus environmental cleaning. When you can’t have one of those, such as social distancing, you need to protect yourself from inhaling or exhaling the virus with a mask.”<br/>