Another charged in human remains case Pilots want mandatory facemasks

A fourth man charged in relation to the death of Bao Changwang, whose remains were found in a shallow grave near Tongariro, has appeared in court. The 37-year-old, who has name suppression, appeared via video link before Judge Noel Sainsbury, at thewaita¯kere District Court inwest Auckland yesterday. He is charged with accessory after the fact ofmurder. Hewas remanded in custody without plea and will next appear in court on June 15. Police officers foundwang’s remains after a search at Rangipo Intake Rd, off Desert Rd in the central North Island, in March.

The commercial pilots organisation in New Zealand wants face masks to be compulsory for air passengers.

After a recommendation from the International Air Transport Association, some airlines are now providing passengers with masks, but not Air New Zealand.

New Zealand Air Line Pilots’ Association president Andrew Ridling said masks would reduce the need for people to be separated on planes. ‘‘It’s difficult to achieve such a high degree of social distancing unless the aircraft [loading] is so light that it becomes uneconomical to fly the aircraft.’’

He said airlines could give out masks at departure gates, as some American companies are doing. ‘‘I think the idea of getting people to wear masks is all about getting some social understanding that there is no increased risk.’’

He said it would still be safe for passengers with less spacing. People were sitting facing forward, the air was highly filtered, and the air flow in a plane’s cabin was vertical, he said.

University of Otago epidemiologist Professor Michael Baker said masks were now recommended in most of the world and should be worn on public transport.

– RNZ