Health

EU to lift mask mandates for air travel

Madrid Desk, May 11 (EFE).- The European Union on Wednesday announced that mask mandates would be lifted at airports and onboard flights in line with many member states’ easing of coronavirus restrictions.

The new guidelines, issued by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency and European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, are to come into force as of May 16, the EASA said in a statement.

“From next week, face masks will no longer need to be mandatory in air travel in all cases, broadly aligning with the changing requirements of national authorities across Europe for public transport,” EASA Executive Director Patrick Ky said in the statement.

Some countries, like Italy, France and Bulgaria, have already eased their mask-wearing rules.

Despite the relaxation of measures, the ECDC still recommended encouraging passengers to wear masks in crowded spaces.

“While mandatory mask-wearing in all situations is no longer recommended, it is important to be mindful that together with physical distancing and good hand hygiene it is one of the best methods of reducing transmission,” EASA Director Andrea Ammon said in the statement.EFE

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