IATA Welcomes EASA’s Recommendation to Remove Mask Requirement During Flights to EU
A statement issued on May 11 by IATA said that on the same date, the updated EASA protocol for Aviation Health Safety called for the mandatory mask rule to be relaxed where the rules have been relaxed in other ways of transport, AtoZSerwisPlus.com reports.
“This important shift reflects the high levels of vaccination, natural immunity levels, and the removal of domestic restrictions in many European nations. The updated guidance also acknowledges the need to move from an emergency situation to a more sustainable mode of managing COVID-19,” the statement reads.
In this regard, the Director-General of IATA, Willie Walsh, stressed that this EASA recommendation is an important step towards normalcy for air passengers.
“Travellers can look forward to the freedom of choice on whether to wear a mask. And they can travel with confidence knowing that many features of the aircraft cabin, such as high-frequency air exchange and high-efficiency filters, make it one of the safest indoor environments,” he also noted.
According to Walsh, the requirements for onboard masks should be completed as in other parts of daily life, such as in theatres, offices, or public transport. He also announced that although the European protocol enters into force next week, there is still no globally sustainable approach to wearing masks on aeroplanes.
EASA and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) also warned that starting from May 26, citizens who plan to travel to European countries by plane will not be required to wear masks at the airport and in flight.
ECDC Director Andrea Ammon added that the ongoing development and updating of the Aviation Health Safety Protocol, in light of the COVID-19 situation, has provided better insights into the risk of transmitting the virus and its new strains.
Many European countries have already removed most of the restrictions they have imposed due to the spread of Coronavirus in order to facilitate the travel process and help the tourism sector.
In addition, several airlines in European countries have also removed some of the preventive measures imposed due to the virus, including thus the mandatory requirement for wearing face masks.
As AtoZSerwisPlus.com previously reported, the airlines that have removed the mandatory face mask requirement are EasyJet, Jet2, Norwegian and British Airways.
