SW Mask Exemption Policy as of 3/21

[Memorymakerfor4]

Southwest’s new face mask exemption guidelines

I just found out about this - you have to click a link to apply for exemption. Flight cannot be more than 50% full (good luck finding one) and only one passenger per flight with exemption. Negative Covid test and signed doctor approval required. SW reserves the right to put you on another flight, even on a different day, if your flight books up more than 50% after you are approved.

Honestly, why did they even bother changing guidelines? This actually makes travel MORE onerous for those who would take advantage of it.

**I'm not here to debate Covid itself, or masks, I just wanted people to know about the new policy.**

 

[Lewisc]

The policy isn't new, its 2 months old. Given today's load factors the exemption is all but worthless.

 

[Memorymakerfor4]

The policy isn't new, its 2 months old. Given today's load factors the exemption is all but worthless.

Agreed on the worthless part. Even though it wasn’t new, I hadn’t seen much talk on it except for one brief mention in another thread, so that’s why I posted it.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Wow, I'm surprised that Southwest has a mask exemption possibility for anyone-when we flew then, we thought they were pretty strict (not complaining, just fact). And when DH checked in to fly on United last week, he had to check that he agreed to wear a mask on the plane in order to be allowed to check in. Interesting.