COVID-19: Rex makes face masks compulsory on all flights

Regional Express is making face masks compulsory on its flights and all passengers will have to use their own masks from June 1 to combat COVID-19. A Rex spokeswoman said those without masks could purchase one at check-in. “Passengers will be denied boarding if they refuse to wear a mask except if there are exceptional reasons,” she said. The masks will be compulsory at every stage of the journey from check in to disembarkation, including during bus transfers. Rex national airports manager David Brooksby said it was important to be vigilant as Australia prepared to open borders and lift lockdowns to prevent a second wave of infections. “The health and safety of passengers and employees is paramount and we thank our passengers for putting up with the inconvenience as an act of consideration for our staff and other passengers,” he said. “Rex has already enforced significant changes to minimise the risk of infection, including the proactive and unprecedented measure of body temperature testing of passengers and employees. “Since early March, Rex has endeavoured to space out seating allocation of all passengers to facilitate social distancing.” Mr Brooksby said unrelated passengers would not be assigned seats next to each other, if possible. In WA, Rex connects Perth with Carnarvon, Monkey Mia, Albany and Esperance.