Australians venturing to Europe this spring will be able to enjoy their travels mask-free at airports and on flights.
Beginning Monday, the European Union has announced that wearing masks will no longer be mandatory at European airports and aboard planes. This decision aligns with the widespread relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions across Europe.
Nonetheless, it’s important to note that individual EU member countries retain the authority to enforce mask requirements if they choose.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) expressed optimism that this change represents a significant advancement towards normalizing air travel experience.
Australians travelling in Europe this northern spring will no longer have to wear masks at airports or on planes. Pictured is a woman on a plane wearing a mask.
The step was taken after considering vaccination levels and naturally acquired immunity, as well as the lifting of restrictions in a growing number of European countries.
EASA executive director Patrick Ky cautioned that passengers should still behave responsibly.
‘A passenger who is coughing and sneezing should strongly consider wearing a face mask, for the reassurance of those seated nearby,’ he said.
The new recommendations take effect from Monday but rules for masks may still vary by airline if they fly to or from destinations where the rules are different.
Germany’s health ministry said it will continue to require all passengers over the age of six to wear medical masks on flights to, from or within the country, though they can be removed during meals.
Andrea Ammon, director of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, said although the wearing of masks would no longer be compulsory, it was important to remember that ‘together with physical distancing and good hand hygiene, it is one of the best methods of reducing transmission’.
Airports are advised not to impose distancing requirements if these are likely to lead to a bottleneck.
From Monday, May 16, wearing face masks on flights in Europe will no longer be compulsory. Pictured are people on a plane
People are pictured on a flight, not wearing masks, as it was before the Covid-19 pandemic
Airlines welcomed the changes and called for a consistent approach to mask mandates.
‘We believe that mask requirements on board aircraft should end when masks are no longer mandated in other parts of daily life, for example theatres, offices or on public transport,’ said Willie Walsh, director-general of the International Air Transport Association.
Separately, the French government has announced that people will no longer have to wear facemasks in any forms of public transport from next Monday.
Health minister Olivier Veran said that the decision is part of policies to lift most restrictions as the pandemic is slowing down in the country.