Delta will soon require all customers to wear face coverings while traveling

ATLANTA — Delta Air Lines announced Thursday that it will soon begin requiring all customers to wear face coverings.

Starting Monday, all customers will have to wear face masks or some sort of covering throughout their travel. The company is encouraging travelers to bring their own masks but will provide them for free to customers who need them at ticket counters, gates and onboard airplanes.

Delta said customers will be notified by email before their flight about the temporary requirement.

Customers will be required to wear the masks at check-in, in gate areas and Sky Clubs, on jet bridges and onboard the plane except during meal service.

Children and those who can’t keep a face covering in place will be exempt from the new rules.

The decision comes just days after Delta announced it would require employees to wear masks if they are within six feet of each other or customers.

The company said these decisions are in alignment with the latest CDC guidelines.

This is just the latest step Delta has taken to protect customers during the coronavirus pandemic. Earlier this month, Delta blocked all middle seats, reduced passengers and paused automatic upgrades in order to create more space for passengers.

They are not the first airline to require face coverings. Jet Blue announced earlier this week that it is doing the same thing.

Several stores are also now requiring shoppers to wear face masks.

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