The European Union will waive the use of face masks at airports and flights from next week as coronavirus restrictions are eased across the bloc, officials said Wednesday.
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) said it hopes the joint decision, taken with the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control, will be “a big step forward in normalizing air travel.” for passengers and crews.
The new recommendation “takes into account the latest developments in the pandemic, especially the levels of vaccination and naturally acquired immunity, and the consequent lifting of restrictions in a growing number of European nations,” the two EU agencies said. in a joint statement.
“Passengers should behave responsibly and respect the choice of others around them,” said EASA Executive Director Patrick Ky. “And a passenger who is coughing and sneezing should seriously consider wearing a mask, for the peace of mind of those sitting nearby.”
Although the new recommendations will come into force on May 16, from then on the regulations on the use of the mask could vary depending on the airline and whether they depart or land in places with different regulations.
The director of the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Andrea Ammon, said hand hygiene and social distancing should continue to be practised, but noted that airport operators would be advised not to impose distancing requirements if they could cause bottlenecks. .
The agencies also recommended that airlines maintain systems to record the location of passengers in case they are needed in the future, for example, if a dangerous new variant emerges.
Associated Press/OnCuba.
