Commercial Fixed Wing
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 150; Flight Crew Type 2200
Communication Breakdown
Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
General None Reported / Taken
Company Policy; Human Factors; Environment - Non Weather Related
Tug Driver was wearing a mask due to COVID.  His mask made his communication to us very muffled and difficult to understand.   This is a safety concern.  We could understand the basic and expected commands.  Anything out of the ordinary would have been difficult; if not impossible; to understand.   Tug Drivers alone on a tug and outside should not be wearing a mask covering their mouth to enable clear communication with the cockpit.
Air carrier First Officer reported difficulty communicating with the tug driver during pushback because the tug driver was wearing a mask in compliance with COVID-19 procedures. Reporter suggested the mask was not necessary when the driver was alone in the tug.