ATLANTA — (ed. note: The video above is related to a similar story from October.)
Delta Air Lines has now added nearly 550 people to its no-fly list for not wearing masks, company CEO Ed Bastian said in a memo to employees on Thursday.
That's up from about 460 at the end of October.
"Fortunately, that number represents a tiny fraction of our overall customers, the vast majority of whom follow our guidelines and appreciate the steps we are taking to keep them safe and healthy," Bastian wrote in the memo.
The executive touched on that number in a portion of the memo asking employees to stay vigilant about combating the spread of COVID-19.
"Our 'Stop the Spread' campaign continues to focus on our layers of protection, with an emphasis this week on hygiene and cleanliness. Frequent hand-washing with soap and water continues to be essential, especially after touching your face or mask. This easy but effective step can save lives," Bastian wrote. "Please continue to conduct a self-assessment every day for symptoms before coming into work and remember mask-wearing continues to be essential and required."
Delta policy states that "customers and employees are required to wear a face mask, or appropriate cloth face covering over their nose and mouth throughout their travel, aligning with best practice guidelines from the CDC."
Masks are required through the entire Delta process, including at check-in, in Sky Clubs, and at boarding gates.
In his memo, Bastian noted the positive news from Pfizer about the progress of its vaccine this week, saying it was "unlikely that our industry will begin a significant recovery without an effective vaccine, so we’re watching these developments closely."
"Keep in mind that while developing a vaccine is an important step, widespread distribution will take many months, so we continue to expect 2021 will be a year with continued challenges," the CEO wrote. "Still, it’s a welcome glimmer of light in the darkness. Even while we remain hopeful for a vaccine, it’s more important than ever to stay vigilant and work to combat the spread of the virus. With the U.S. hitting a grim milestone of 10 million positive cases and outbreaks in Europe and other parts of the world, all signs point to a challenging winter ahead."