Southwest Airlines to Require Customers Complete a Health Declaration Before Travel
by Daine Taylor /Southwest is among the group of major U.S. airlines who this week announced that they would more vigorously enforce face mask policies. Photo: Shutterstock.com.
Southwest Airlines announced this week that it is expanding some of its health and safety measures, including requiring guests fill out a health declaration form prior to boarding.
The form, which must be completed during online check-in, requests guests acknowledge the airline’s face mask policy, and confirms they do not have symptoms of COVID-19 and have not been diagnosed with, or exposed to, COVID-19 in the 14 days prior to travel.
Southwest is among the group of major U.S. airlines who this week announced that they would more vigorously enforce face mask policies. Southwest said that it would also provide face masks to those without them upon request.
Southwest also this week announced that it would extend its open middle seat policy, to help encourage social distancing guidelines, at least through September. The move will allow customers to pick their own seats.
The airline will also be boarding in groups of 10 to allow for distancing and queuing only on one side of boarding poles, utilizing airport signage and floor markers encouraging distance throughout gate areas, and providing hand sanitizer and face masks to guests.
