Europe Announced the end of mask requirements for flights
Europe is easing its Covid regulations just in time for the summer travel rush. So, for example, wearing face masks on flights and at airports in EU countries will no longer be required as of today (May 16, 2022). So Europe announced the end of mask requirements for flights.
From May 16, passengers on European flights will have the option of wearing a face mask on the plane or at the airport or not. Last week, the EU Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) said that the change reflects changes to Covid guidelines for public transport across Europe.
According to EASA, face mask regulations will vary from airline to airline. “Starting 16.05.2022, face masks will no longer be mandatory in all cases when travelling by air, broadly in line with evolving requirements from national authorities across Europe for public transport,” said EASA Managing Director Patrick Ky.
“It’s a relief for all of us that we’ve finally reached a stage in the pandemic where we can begin to ease health protection measures,” he added. However, the new guidance from the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) offers some advice. Andrea Ammon, Director of ECDC, said that while mask-wearing is no longer mandatory, it is essential to remember that “physical distancing and good hand hygiene is one of the best ways to reduce transmission”.
Some suggest continuing wearing masks
Both EU agencies said that airlines should ask passengers to wear masks on flights arriving or departing from places wearing masks on public transport are still mandatory. “Starting May 16, 2022, aircraft operators should continue to encourage their passengers and crew members to wear face masks in pre-flight and in-flight communications, both in-flight and at the airport, even when wearing a face mask is not is mandatory,” according to the ECDC.
The masking requirement at Swiss and Edelweiss depends on the destination flown to. If the route/destination towards flying requires a mask, in that case, musk on board and during flight would be mandatory. Ryanair will no longer need passengers to wear face masks on EU flights, as per the new EASA guidelines. In March, Easyjet said that wearing face masks on flights where masks are no longer mandatory at both ends of the route is a personal choice.
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