No more obligation to mask on the plane in Europe from 16 May: this is what has been decided by the ECDC (European Center for Disease Prevention and Control) and by the EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency). The protective device will no longer be mandatory even at airports, explain EASA and the ECDC, but it remains strongly recommended for those who cough or sneeze as well as for all frail people and, according to the guidelines, "it remains one of the best defenses against the transmission of Covid-19”, along with physical distancing and good hand hygiene.
If the mask is no longer required on flights in Europe, in our country it will still take a while to put it back in the drawer. From 1 May in Italy it is no longer mandatory to wear the protective device in most places indoors but it has remained the obligation to wear them still for health facilities, transport, schools and cinemas until the end of June in private workplaces, while it is recommended, but not mandatory, in the public sector.
Mask on the plane: when you have to wear them
The revision of the joint EASA-ECDC protocol “takes into account the latest developments of the pandemic, in particular the levels of anti-Covid vaccination and naturally acquired immunity, and the consequent lifting of restrictions in a growing number of European countries. In addition to the new provisions relating to masks, a relaxation of the more stringent measures relating to air operations is also foreseen.
Furthermore, "airport staff, crew members and passengers - conclude EASA and ECDC - must be vigilant and follow the recommendations and requirements of the national authorities of the state or region in which they are located".
The rules for masks, however, will continue to vary according to the airline company beyond that date. For example, flights to or from a destination where mask wearing is still required on public transportation should continue to encourage mask wearing, according to the recommendations.
As for vulnerable passengers, "they should continue to wear a mask regardless of the rules, ideally of the Ffp2/N95/Kn95 type, which offers a higher level of protection than a standard surgical mask".
