Budget airline Ryanair has changed its rules on facemasks in response to the European Union altering its stance on face coverings. The EU Aviation Safety Agency (in conjunction with European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control) has said that it is dropping its recommendation for the mandatory wearing of medical masks both in airports and onboard flights.
However, the EASA also said that rules would continue to vary by airline. They also noted that "a face mask is still one of the best protections against the transmission of COVID-19."
EASA executive director Patrick Ky has said, "From next week, face masks will no longer need to be mandatory in air travel in all cases, broadly aligning with the changing requirements of national authorities across Europe for public transport."
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"For passengers and air crews, this is a big step forward in the normalisation of air travel." Ky went on to say. However, the EASA Exec encouraged all air travellers to think of the safety and comfort of others. He said: "Passengers should however behave responsibly and respect the choices of others around them. And a passenger who is coughing and sneezing should strongly consider wearing a face mask, for the reassurance of those seated nearby."
The EASA also recommended that vulnerable passengers continue to wear a mask, regardless of the new advice. They suggest that it should ideally be an FFP2/N95/KN95 mask that offers a higher degree of protection and encourage all passengers to observe social distancing measures in indoor areas, like the airport, where practical.
Ryanair is not the only airline to have dropped its requirements. Jet2 also announced they would drop facemask requirements earlier in the year on some flights.
Which Ryanair routes still have mandatory face masks?
Several destinations will still require the use of face masks. For example, Italy requires that holidaymakers wear a high-grade FFP2 mask in airports and while boarding flights. The Mirror has reported that the following routes will continue to require facemasks on Ryanair flights:
- Austria
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Estonia
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxemburg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Portugal
- Spain
If you are looking to travel, it is best to check the mask rules for the country you plan to go to in advance.
