Airline Jet2 has announced it is scrapping face mask rules for passengers - the first to do so. It means that holidaymakers jetting off to the sun won't need to keep a covering on during the journey, although they will still be subject to rules in airports and other areas such as transfers, dependant on the destination.
At present, the change will only apply to passengers departing from England and Northern Ireland, reports the Mirror.
A statement on the Jet2 website said: "It’s no longer a legal requirement to wear a face mask at our airports or onboard our planes. However, as per UK Government guidance, we recommend that you continue to wear a face mask in these spaces, and you will need to wear one when you get to your overseas destination."
Travellers aged over six flying from Scotland are still subject to a legal requirement to wear a face mask at Scottish airports and onboard planes travelling to and from Scotland, regardless of vaccination status.
Travellers are warned by the airline that rules differ depending on where they are heading, saying "there may also be additional face mask restrictions in some places, and the rules around ages may differ per destination too". As of February 24, it is no longer a legal requirement in England and Scotland to wear a face mask.
Many countries are also relaxing their restrictions in relation to travel, with the likes of Italy, Cyprus, Canada and Spain all making changes to testing and quarantine requirement to make entry easier. Iceland took things one step further earlier this month when it scrapped all of its Covid travel rules, making it one of three countries Brits can visit without needing any tests or meeting vaccine requirements.
Popular hotspots such as Portugal, Greece, Cyprus and France have all recently also axed a requirement for pre-travel Covid tests, provided travellers are fully vaccinated against Covid. Anyone planning to travel abroad should check the latest Foreign Office travel advice.
You can find out more about Jet2's face mask policy on jet2.com.
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