European health institute ECDC and the European aviation authority no longer recommend wearing a face mask on an airplane. The advice, which has been in effect since the outbreak of the corona pandemic, expires on Monday. Other corona measures that hinder airlines may also be relaxed.
The relaxation is possible because the lion’s share of Europeans have been vaccinated or cured of COVID-19, say the ECDC (the European equivalent of RIVM) and aviation authority EASA. The recommendation is not binding, so passengers may be subject to different rules with one airline than with a competitor.
The mask remains one of the best ways to protect yourself against the coronavirus, the ECDC and EASA emphasize. Passengers would do well to also consider the health and peace of mind of their travel companions. They also advise to wear a mask if you constantly sneeze and cough.
Those who fly to a destination where a mask in public transport is still mandatory should wear one on the plane, the European authorities advise. Vulnerable passengers are also well advised to wear a mask during a flight.
It is also wise to keep distance from others where possible. Although airports such as the overflowing Schiphol airport should not make this an unshakable commandment, so that people in other places tend to flock together.
There is still an official mouth cap obligation in the Netherlands, but airlines have no longer enforced it for a few months. On Saturday 21 May, the mask obligation will expire at Dutch airports.