Ryanair has become the latest budget airline to remove its facemask requirements for many journeys after the EU Aviation Safety Agency (in conjunction with European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control) changed its advice. The EU is now dropping their recommendation for the mandatory wearing of medical masks on the ground in airports and the air during flights.
While the advice is changing, the EASA also noted that "a face mask is still one of the best protection against the transmission of COVID-19" and said that airlines would still be responsible for their own policies.
The executive director of EASA, Patrick KY, stated: "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."
Read more: TUI issue statement on face mask rules as Easter holidays start
Ky went on to say: "For passengers and aircrews, this is a big step forward in the normalisation of air travel." However, the EASA Exec also encouraged caution, "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."
If you're considered clinically vulnerable, the EASA recommend that you continue to wear an FFP2/N95/KN95 mask, which will provide a higher degree of protection than a cloth or surgical mask. In indoor spaces, they also recommend that you continue to observe some social distancing where practical.
Which Ryanair routes still have mandatory face masks?
The Mirror report that Ryanair will still require facemasks for several journeys, following the guidance set by those counties. Italy, for example, still requires that holidaymakers wear a high-grade FFP2 mask in airports and while boarding flights. The complete list of destinations where Ryanair will still require facemasks includes:
- Austria
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Estonia
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxemburg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Portugal
- Spain
When looking to travel, it's advisable to check the mask requirements in your destination country before you leave.
