The Aviation Security Agency of the European Union (EASA) and the European Center for Prevention and Control of Diseases (ECDC) cancel the recommendation on the obligatory wearing of medical masks at airports and on board the aircraft, according to their joint press release.
“From the next week, a person’s mask will no longer be obligatory in air travel in all cases, which generally meets the changing requirements of the national authorities throughout Europe for public transport. For passengers and crews of aircraft, this is a big step in the normalization of air travel” – explains – explains EASA Executive Director Patrick Kai.
At the same time, he called on passengers to behave responsibly and, for example, the cough “to urgently think about putting a mask to reassure those who are sitting nearby”.
ECDC Director Andrea Ammon added that although the obligatory wearing of masks in all situations is no longer recommended, “it is important to remember that, together with physical distance and observance of hand hygiene, this is one of the best methods for reducing infection transmission”.
New recommendations for wearing masks should come into force on May 16, 2022. From this date, the rules, in particular, will continue to vary regarding the masks depending on the airline, as well as in cases with flights to destination, where their wearing is still required in public transport.