The EU lifted mask mandates for airplanes and airports as travel restrictions related to coronaviruses continue to be relaxed across the bloc.
According to The Associated Press, the EU's Aviation Safety Agency and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control made the joint decision with the hope that it would be a big step forward in the normalization of air travel.
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On May 16th, the mask mandates will be officially lifted, but each airline will still be able to enforce the policies if deemed necessary and facial coverings will be required on flights to destinations where the rules are different.
In a joint statement, the two agencies said the updated guidelines take into account the latest developments in the Pandemic and the lifting of restrictions in a number of European countries.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control advises airport operators not to impose distance requirements if they are likely to cause a problem.
The existing protocols will be lifted later this month, but Patrick Ky, the Executive Director of the EASA, said that passengers should act in a responsible manner.
The new guidance from the EASA removes the recommendation that masks should be required in-flight.
The recommendation to relax the mask mandate is an important step along the road back to normal for air passengers. They can travel with confidence because the aircraft cabin has many features that make it one of the safest indoor environments.
People who travel on public transportation should wear a mask for protection against coronaviruses, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A federal judge struck down the mask mandate last month.
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