The media is currently awash with reports that from Monday, May 16th, it will no longer be a rule to wear masks on flights and in airports in Europe. However, this isn't exactly true.
The reports originate from an announcement by European Aviation Safety Agency EASA; and the EU health authority ECDC that states face masks in airports and on European flights are "no longer recommended."
No. The above are recommendations only: rules around wearing masks are still up to national governments to decide. For example, in Germany, masks must still be worn while flying until the German Infection Protection Act changes.
In the short term, nothing will change directly on Monday. However more EU countries could follow this recommendation and abolish the obligation.
Several countries in the EU, such as Finland, Norway, Poland, Sweden, and Switzerland, have already dropped the obligation to wear masks on airplanes.
We would advise bringing a face mask with you so that you are not caught out by national rules, which are not always easy to find information on. Also, remember that countries in Europe all have different rules on where you NEED to wear a mask (such as public transport, public places, and supermarkets) which won't be affected by this rule change, so it's handy to bring one with you at all times just in case.
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