Narrative:

During the zzzzz X arrival; a late clearance was issued and believed to have been to 'expect ZZZZZ1 at 250 knots.' that 'expect' clearance was read back by the pilot flying (first officer) due to the fact that the pilot monitoring (captain) was speaking to the flight attendants on the interphone. After passing ZZZZZ1; ATC asked to verify that we were at 250 knots; the first officer/pm responded that we were awaiting the expect 250 knots clearance. The ATC controller made reference to the fact that he was wearing a face mask and the clearance may have been miss-understood. The captain returned from speaking with the flight attendants and the first officer briefed him on the miss-understanding of the 'expect 250 knot' clearance. The aircraft was slowed to 250 knots and the flight continued on the zzzzz X arrival uneventfully.communication with ATC can be difficult enough. Controllers wearing face masks doesn't seem like a good idea.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Air carrier flight crew reported missing a speed restriction clearance possibly due to the Controller wearing a face mask.

Narrative: During the ZZZZZ X Arrival; a late clearance was issued and believed to have been to 'Expect ZZZZZ1 at 250 knots.' That 'Expect' clearance was read back by the Pilot Flying (First Officer) due to the fact that the Pilot Monitoring (Captain) was speaking to the flight attendants on the interphone. After passing ZZZZZ1; ATC asked to verify that we were at 250 knots; the First Officer/PM responded that we were awaiting the expect 250 knots clearance. The ATC Controller made reference to the fact that he was wearing a face mask and the clearance may have been miss-understood. The Captain returned from speaking with the flight attendants and the First Officer briefed him on the miss-understanding of the 'expect 250 knot' clearance. The aircraft was slowed to 250 knots and the flight continued on the ZZZZZ X Arrival uneventfully.Communication with ATC can be difficult enough. Controllers wearing face masks doesn't seem like a good idea.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.