European Union Drops Airline Mask Rules, But…

European Union Drops Airline Mask Rules, But…

71

As of today, the European Union’s recommendations have changed around the wearing of face masks on planes. However, the implications are limited.

European Union drops air travel mask guidance

As we first learned last week, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) have issued an update when it comes to the wearing of face masks on flights. As of today (Monday, May 16, 2022), the European Union has dropped its recommendation for airlines to require passengers to wear face masks.

It’s worth noting that the European Union only makes recommendations, and countries are still allowed to make their own rules. However, very broadly the European Union recommendations are often followed. As it’s described, this decision is based on the high levels of vaccination and natural immunity in Europe, accompanied by the growing number of European countries lifting restrictions.

It’s acknowledged that masks will still likely be required to some destinations, including those where they’re required for public transport. Furthermore, it’s stated that masks still provide some of the best protection against the transmission of COVID-19, and those who are vulnerable or concerned should continue to wear masks that offer a high level of protection.

As the Executive Director of the EASA, Patrick Ky, describes this development:

“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. For passengers and air crews, this is a big step forward in the normalisation of air travel. 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.”  

This update comes just weeks after the federal transportation mask mandate ended in the United States due to the ruling of a Florida judge. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has asked the Department of Justice to challenge this ruling, so we’ll see what comes of this.

The European Union has dropped its mask recommendation for air travel

Are countries following the EU’s recommendations?

As mentioned above, the European Union is only changing its recommendations, and it’s up to individual countries to then decide on their own rules. Prior to this update, the state of things was pretty complicated:

  • We saw some countries in the European Union already lift face mask requirements for public transportation, and in turn, we saw several European Union airlines lift face mask requirements
  • We saw some European Union countries not lift face mask requirements for airlines, but nonetheless airlines decided to no longer enforce the rules
  • Whether or not a mask is required is based on a combination of the airline policy, as well as the policies of the countries you’re traveling to & from, and those policies may differ whether you’re on the plane or at the airport

It’s now May 16, so this new recommendation is in place. What does that mean for the state of masking on planes in Europe? According to BBC, of the 27 European Union countries, the following are continuing to require that passengers wear masks:

  • Austria
  • Cyprus
  • Estonia
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Italy
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Malta
  • Netherlands
  • Portugal
  • Spain

As you can see, that’s nearly half of the European Union countries. Those that aren’t requiring masks overwhelmingly also didn’t require them prior to this change.

Of course I imagine this will evolve significantly over time. And as mentioned above, the situation in the Netherlands is confusing, since technically the country requires masking on planes, but KLM isn’t choosing to enforce that policy.

Germany requires masks on planes, but not at airports

Bottom line

The European Union has changed its recommendations around the wearing of face masks on planes. As of today (May 16), it’s no longer recommended that countries and airlines require air travelers to wear masks.

However, it’s up to individual countries and airlines to decide on their own policies, and it doesn’t look like we’re seeing many countries change their stances initially.

Are you surprised to see many countries not following the EU’s guidance?

Conversations (71)
The comments on this page have not been provided, reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any advertiser, and it is not an advertiser's responsibility to ensure posts and/or questions are answered.
Type your response here.

If you'd like to participate in the discussion, please adhere to our commenting guidelines. Anyone can comment, and your email address will not be published. Register to save your unique username and earn special OMAAT reputation perks!

  1. BigTee New Member

    Funny. I'm agnostic on the mask thing. When I flew QR to KTM 2022, QR required me to wear a mask on QR and at DOH. Of course, KTM city, like many Asian cities, has such dirty and polluted streets (from rough roads and motorbikes) that everyone wears masks in the street, the same as before Covid. So much for a mask-free holiday!

    Anyone who has flown to Asia on business knows what I'm talking...

    Funny. I'm agnostic on the mask thing. When I flew QR to KTM 2022, QR required me to wear a mask on QR and at DOH. Of course, KTM city, like many Asian cities, has such dirty and polluted streets (from rough roads and motorbikes) that everyone wears masks in the street, the same as before Covid. So much for a mask-free holiday!

    Anyone who has flown to Asia on business knows what I'm talking about.

    I mean, I transited through Europe all through covid lockdowns. AF was so funny, telling me that my N95 did not comply and that I had to replace it with the ubiquitous flimsy blue and white mask, of which they had an ample complimentary supply.

  2. Darren C Diamond

    @3 million commercial passengers fly every day in and out of US airports. Covid Chicken Littles threatened millions of deaths would come because brave Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle dropped the stupid mask mandate. Many European governments led the way in dropping the mask mandate, and that motivated me to buy one trip to Europe for June and another for July.

    Months ago, the US dropped the testing requirement for the millions of people who legally...

    @3 million commercial passengers fly every day in and out of US airports. Covid Chicken Littles threatened millions of deaths would come because brave Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle dropped the stupid mask mandate. Many European governments led the way in dropping the mask mandate, and that motivated me to buy one trip to Europe for June and another for July.

    Months ago, the US dropped the testing requirement for the millions of people who legally enter the US by land or ferry, and has never required the millions of illegal aliens provide test results when entering.

    The US should stop the corrupt, useless, and selectively enforced testing requirement that only airline passengers provide fake negative Covid results.

    Airline travel, before, during, and after Covid, is safer than any other form of travel and the Zombie Apocalypse prophesied by mask addicts has been shown to be ridiculous.

    1. lbk Member

      I'm here to tell you that your comment is pointless and no one cares what you have to say.

  3. Samo Guest

    The list is wrong. It comes from Ryanair's press release where they mention which countries require masks on public transportation (and Ryanair CHOSE to require masks on those flights). However, not all of these countries actually require masks on foreign planes. For example, SAS, Finnair and Norwegian don't require masks on flights to many of these destinations (SAS serves quite a few of them, but only requires masks on Italian flights).

    And even then, the...

    The list is wrong. It comes from Ryanair's press release where they mention which countries require masks on public transportation (and Ryanair CHOSE to require masks on those flights). However, not all of these countries actually require masks on foreign planes. For example, SAS, Finnair and Norwegian don't require masks on flights to many of these destinations (SAS serves quite a few of them, but only requires masks on Italian flights).

    And even then, the list is still wrong since Estonia dropped their mask mandate long time ago (I've been there lately and masks were pretty much nonexistent).

  4. Steve Guest

    Just visited Spain - liberal guy who liens to think of others and I’ll probably get flack for this. When I visited a clinic for testing back to the states, the physician and I casually talked. He said that Spain in now approaching this as if everyone is vaccinated (the majority of their citizens have been). Yes, people will get sick but they they should relatively protected by the vaccine for serous harm. They feel...

    Just visited Spain - liberal guy who liens to think of others and I’ll probably get flack for this. When I visited a clinic for testing back to the states, the physician and I casually talked. He said that Spain in now approaching this as if everyone is vaccinated (the majority of their citizens have been). Yes, people will get sick but they they should relatively protected by the vaccine for serous harm. They feel the need to move forward and see this more as an endemic. I’m not a doctor and cannot vouch for this but at some point we do need move forward. When will the risk ever be negligible enough to not mask to protect others (Not asking, just curious). Also, Spainish citizens seem to be generally healthy with less issues than found in the US due to cultural norms. Ie less sugars, less preservatives, more waking / movement ps,.. I only indicated the liberal part as people have seem to have made the masking issue a political issue. Call me a Democratic a*hole I guess who no longer wears a mask in public.

  5. DRennman Guest

    Confusing mis-mash of rules and enforcements. For our last trip on Air France, yes, masks were required on the flight but not in CDG or Orly. Required on the flight when flying into Spain but not in the Palma or Barcelona airports.

  6. AC Guest

    Big deal - I expect most in the list to drop requirements in a few days and most likely won’t enforce it.

    I’m in JFK right now which is one of the few US airports “requiring” masks. I flew in on a flight with limited number of people wearing masks. No announcement that you had to wear masks in JFK so I decided not to and see what happens. Probably half the people (including...

    Big deal - I expect most in the list to drop requirements in a few days and most likely won’t enforce it.

    I’m in JFK right now which is one of the few US airports “requiring” masks. I flew in on a flight with limited number of people wearing masks. No announcement that you had to wear masks in JFK so I decided not to and see what happens. Probably half the people (including staff, pilots and flight attendants) are not wearing masks and I went through security (had to change terminals) without one.

    Frankly I am comfortable with whatever happens to me and don’t feel it is my job to worry about others. Some of you self righteous virtual signalers will likely be upset but I do what I prefer and am not a sheep following the herd. Don’t get me wrong I wore a mask prior to US airlines (and most airports) dropping them but that time has passed. Most masks are of limited value and there are vaccines, therapeutics and widespread infection that mean risks are very low. If you are at risk stay at home - not my job to protect you.

  7. Stefan Guest

    Lufthansa is garbage and Germany has become a basket case so what did you expect? Dreadful.

  8. Icarus Guest

    Ben, masks are still mandatory at schiphol airport, on KLM and it’s enforced. They are also mandatory on Air France and Lufthansa.
    So if you fly Delta and connecting via Paris Frankfurt or Amsterdam it’s mandatory to wear a mask as soon as you leave the aircraft and maybe at your final destination depending on local regulations ( eg London you can remove it on exiting the aircraft).

    1. Luke Guest

      I have upcoming booking for CDG-JFK in J on Air France and having checked my record locator it is saying "It is now mandatory to wear a surgical mask upon your arrival at the airport and throughout your flight. Even if you have been vaccinated against or have recently tested negative for COVID-19. Without a mask, you may be denied boarding."

      I wonder if this is being mandated only because JFK is one of the...

      I have upcoming booking for CDG-JFK in J on Air France and having checked my record locator it is saying "It is now mandatory to wear a surgical mask upon your arrival at the airport and throughout your flight. Even if you have been vaccinated against or have recently tested negative for COVID-19. Without a mask, you may be denied boarding."

      I wonder if this is being mandated only because JFK is one of the only airports in the US where its forced to wear them in the airport and would not be the case for flights from CDG to anywhere else in the US. What the heck!

    2. Clrd4t8koff Guest

      I flew through JFK twice on DL over the last week and there was zero enforcement of masks in the airport.

      Where are you getting this info that JFK is one of the only airports in the US enforcing masks???

    3. Luke Guest

      Whatever it is on enforcement or not the Port Authority in NYC which runs JFK airport is continuing to "officially" require masks. And Air France website says masks may be required on its flights depending on destination. So it seems based on JFK's unique rules their flights going to or from JFK will also require it and no mask rule on all other US destinations!

      I plan to not comply much as possible on upcoming...

      Whatever it is on enforcement or not the Port Authority in NYC which runs JFK airport is continuing to "officially" require masks. And Air France website says masks may be required on its flights depending on destination. So it seems based on JFK's unique rules their flights going to or from JFK will also require it and no mask rule on all other US destinations!

      I plan to not comply much as possible on upcoming CDG -> JFK flight in business class, will see how that goes and if get reprimanded!

    4. Chris Guest

      France changed the rules already.
      No more mask on airplane or any airports (and all kind of transportation)...

    5. Samo Guest

      KLM is removing the mask requirement from 21st May. But even now, the enforcement has been sporadic and while it occurs, most reports suggest that crews follow the company policy of announcing that masks are mandatory but then not enforcing it.

    6. Adam Guest

      AirFrance no longer requires masks on CDG/ORY to USA flights and vice versa. I know because I work for them!

  9. Luke Guest

    Have a trip in couple weeks that includes flight from EWR to London on United, London to Amsterdam on British Airways, Amsterdam to Paris on a Thalys train, and Paris to JFK on Air France. I'm assuming masks wont be required on the United, Air France flights as well as the Thalys train but may be forced on the British Airways flight to Amsterdam because Netherlands government still imposes it (which KLM apparantly declines to enforce)

  10. Daniel B. Guest

    Yesterday we flew on Finnair's HEL-DFW with the brand new seat (very spacious, we loved it).
    But the interesting thing was no one asked us about the negative COVID test (not during check in, not at the gate). They asked at the gate whether we completed the Finnair-issued attestation form, and they just collected it from everyone but didn't look at it at all - just collected it.
    This was the first time...

    Yesterday we flew on Finnair's HEL-DFW with the brand new seat (very spacious, we loved it).
    But the interesting thing was no one asked us about the negative COVID test (not during check in, not at the gate). They asked at the gate whether we completed the Finnair-issued attestation form, and they just collected it from everyone but didn't look at it at all - just collected it.
    This was the first time during the pandemic that they did not ask for the negative COVID test during check in. Weird.

    1. Rico Gold

      Thanks for the info, Daniel. I'll be flying home to the USA from Helsinki in a month. I'll buy the proctored self-test in a week or two. I'm holiding out to see if the test requirement goes away. I'll be irked if I pay $150 for 6 tests and the rule changes after I leave, but before I return. Still, I can't count on having an indifferent gate agent like you had.

    2. Daniel B. Guest

      We actually had the proctored iHealth testing kits, but soon after booking the appointment for the supervised test, they stopped offering it. First their website said all appt. were taken, now, it doesn't even appear as an option to purchase (was $24.99), which is a shame, because the online proctored checking of the test went seamlessly (no waiting after I clicked on the link they had sent me).
      I agree with you that most...

      We actually had the proctored iHealth testing kits, but soon after booking the appointment for the supervised test, they stopped offering it. First their website said all appt. were taken, now, it doesn't even appear as an option to purchase (was $24.99), which is a shame, because the online proctored checking of the test went seamlessly (no waiting after I clicked on the link they had sent me).
      I agree with you that most likely the check in agent just didn't care, so I wouldn't count on this being repeated....
      Let's hope the requirement goes away soon....
      Oh, and regarding the "Finnair-issued Attestation Form" - before our flight Finnair sent us an email saying we MUST print out the form and hand over to the agent, without that we cannot board. So we had to find a place to print it out etc. Then when we got to the airport, each agent had a large pile of these form.
      Superfluous anxiety it was to try to print it out.....

  11. Donna Diamond

    Public health officials have been wrong about so much during this COVID fiasco that it’s hard to believe anything that they say. Requiring vaccinated, patriotic Americans to test negative in order to enter the country after air travel abroad but NOT requiring testing for domestic air travel is the height of hypocrisy. Sick people have been traveling by air long before the pandemic and even during COVID in spite of all these measures. Time to...

    Public health officials have been wrong about so much during this COVID fiasco that it’s hard to believe anything that they say. Requiring vaccinated, patriotic Americans to test negative in order to enter the country after air travel abroad but NOT requiring testing for domestic air travel is the height of hypocrisy. Sick people have been traveling by air long before the pandemic and even during COVID in spite of all these measures. Time to rip off the bandaid and move on.

    1. Jerry Diamond

      I flew MAD-HEL today. Masks aren't required in the Madrid airport or in IB lounges, but Iberia requires them onboard, so everyone had to put one on as they boarded. Upon deplaning in Helsinki, every passenger removed their mask. All of this seems logical and makes sense.

    2. Jerry Diamond

      I didn't realize I was replying to you. Oops!

  12. Ed Guest

    For those of you that care about the most vulnerable, why weren't the majority of you consistently wearing a mask prior to COVID? Influenze is deadly...why weren't you masking up then?

    1. Ralph4878 Guest

      Most probably were probably not flying or out in public because they were symptomatic and knew they shouldn't be flying, let alone walking around in crowded, public spaces with the flu. When I developed chills and a headache on a HEL-BKK flight in 2019, I masked up (and the FAs on Finnair took wonderful care of me!) - that's what many folks do in Asia if they feel they are getting sick and even after...

      Most probably were probably not flying or out in public because they were symptomatic and knew they shouldn't be flying, let alone walking around in crowded, public spaces with the flu. When I developed chills and a headache on a HEL-BKK flight in 2019, I masked up (and the FAs on Finnair took wonderful care of me!) - that's what many folks do in Asia if they feel they are getting sick and even after recovering from a cold. Turns out it was the start of a very nasty flu. Nowadays, everyone I know who has tested positive for COVID has done the same thing; if there are folks in your circle who are putting others at risk knowingly, have a chat with them. But influenza is not COVID - COVID can have no symptoms, and asymptomatic spread is prevalent. That's why some of us still choose to mask in public - we're actually thinking about people beyond ourselves.

    2. BigTee New Member

      Funny how liberals chat about folks, and conservatives talk about US citizens. On this blog, we all are just passengers, and internationally just passport holders, subject the whims of coporate bosses and regs of national politicians. Can't we all just get our flying miles along?

  13. stogieguy7 Diamond

    Masks are ineffective when not of the proper type and when not worn as per specific protocols. In other words: cloth masks are nothing more than virtue ("I CARE") signaling, N95 masks are not worn or used properly by a vast majority of those you see with them. They were never designed to be worn for hours in public, they were designed for use in a medical/hospital/clinic/laboratory setting. They were also designed for single use,...

    Masks are ineffective when not of the proper type and when not worn as per specific protocols. In other words: cloth masks are nothing more than virtue ("I CARE") signaling, N95 masks are not worn or used properly by a vast majority of those you see with them. They were never designed to be worn for hours in public, they were designed for use in a medical/hospital/clinic/laboratory setting. They were also designed for single use, after which they are discarded and replaced. Not for being tossed into your carry on for use on your next flight in 2 weeks.

    Those of you pontificating about how masks are sooooo thoughtful - and how those who oppose their use are so selfish - clearly don't understand sh^t about how respiratory protection works.

  14. Nige Guest

    Every time I see someone still wearing a silly mask, I want to nudge them on the shoulder and say, “Nobody cares who you voted for”.

    1. Icarus Guest

      If I meet people like you, I know which moron they voted for.

    2. Arie Guest

      Isnt that the real issue? Thinking that masks are a political statement is why the US has done so poorly with the pandemic.

      Masks are effective. They are not 100 percent effective. Perhaps if you thought of it as a bullet proof vest...it will offer some protection against bullets, but not 100 percent

    3. flc2040 New Member

      There are other people with severe autoimmune diseases or under cancer treatment. Please educate yourself more. Only people like you make it political. That's why we have over 1 millions died because of it.

  15. Textuality Member

    Just flew from The Netherlands... if they're requiring people mask up on planes, they're doing a very strange job of it.

    Crew and 99% of the passengers unmasked on both in / out of Schiphol this weekend.

    1. Samo Guest

      KLM's policy is to not enforce masks, despite them being mandatory.

  16. Gary Hal Hohenstein Guest

    Now we'll see if that sh*t airline, Lufthansa, still requires masks or not. I don't fly with them until the mask nonsense stops.

    1. Jan Guest

      That’s 5-Star Skytrax ranked Lufthansa to you, sir!

    2. Samo Guest

      LH's requirement has nothing to do with EASA's recommendation but with the German law, so no, they won't get rid of masks. EASA never required airlines to have mask mandates in the first place - after all, many EU airlines have dropped their mandates weeks or even months ago.

  17. derek Guest

    There should be no requirement to wear clothes on planes, just like no requirement to wear masks.

    1. Alex Guest

      Yes, being forced to wear clothes on a plane is another example of the Biden administration’s dictatorial rule. Freedom!

    2. Not Lucky Guest

      confusing isn't it? I MUST put socks on my feet, because being uncovered is horrid and disgusting, but I MUST NOT do anything to cover my mouth and nose to stop others from getting sick, because covering up is horrid and disgusting. And also those muslim women should not be allowed to cover up but also nobody should be allowed to fly in a bikini. WTF?

  18. Max Guest

    You have a link to Swiss in the sentence that several european union airlines have already lifted face mask mandates. Switzerland is not part of the European Union.

  19. Alex Guest

    “I’m one of the 3% of Americans who are immunocompromised: Please consider wearing a mask“

    “ After being vaccinated and boosted, and receiving an extra medication because I don’t have antibodies despite all that,”

    “ for me and for the other 3% of your fellow Americans: Please do get tested and wear a mask if you are sick. And, if you fly, please consider wearing a mask even without the mandate, because the odds are,...

    “I’m one of the 3% of Americans who are immunocompromised: Please consider wearing a mask“

    “ After being vaccinated and boosted, and receiving an extra medication because I don’t have antibodies despite all that,”

    “ for me and for the other 3% of your fellow Americans: Please do get tested and wear a mask if you are sick. And, if you fly, please consider wearing a mask even without the mandate, because the odds are, one of us is on your plane, and we want to live both through that flight and after it.”

    https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/m-one-3-americans-immunocompromised-120017329.html

    1. mikesl1986 New Member

      I understand what you are saying but these same 3% were immunocompromised before Covid and they weren't asking people to wear masks for them before. These same people would be extremely vulnerable to the flu any year as well and they weren't asking everyone to mask on their behalf. I'm sorry but your personal health is YOUR responsibility and YOUR responsibility only just as mine is MY responsibility only! KN95 masks protect the person wearing...

      I understand what you are saying but these same 3% were immunocompromised before Covid and they weren't asking people to wear masks for them before. These same people would be extremely vulnerable to the flu any year as well and they weren't asking everyone to mask on their behalf. I'm sorry but your personal health is YOUR responsibility and YOUR responsibility only just as mine is MY responsibility only! KN95 masks protect the person wearing them if they are properly fitted so if someone is very concerned about catching an illness while traveling, then that person should wear one but don't expect healthy people to mask forever for the heck of it.

    2. Not Lucky Guest

      'Murica! Where we think it's a dumb idea to take any responsibility for other people. You can feel free to sit next to me if you have a deadly communicable disease because it's MY problem to take care of myself, but I also have the right to shoot you dead if you walk on my lawn. Bizarrely though, despite having just said that everyone's life is their own responsibility and society has no obligation and...

      'Murica! Where we think it's a dumb idea to take any responsibility for other people. You can feel free to sit next to me if you have a deadly communicable disease because it's MY problem to take care of myself, but I also have the right to shoot you dead if you walk on my lawn. Bizarrely though, despite having just said that everyone's life is their own responsibility and society has no obligation and government should not interfere, for some reason it's important for government to mandate that you also must give birth to your baby because it's a life. But no you don't get insurance in case you miscarry, because it's not a life I guess? And no benefits or child tax credit either. So confusing.

      Granted I'm evil too, because I have zero sympathy for those who didn't vax and boost and it is ridiculous that my tax dollars go to helping them.

    3. Ray Gold

      The “it’s all about me” argument. Americans and their “freedom”. I am looking forward to the book “The Great Experiment Gone Wrong”.

    4. AGrumpyOldMan_GA Diamond

      If you want to make an argument about extending grace to others I can appreciate it. But this cavalier attitude to the very freedoms that you enjoy every single day is the height of ignorance of what makes this nation great. If the experiment is going wrong, it's not those who stand firm for freedom and liberty, it's those who are willing to cast it aside.

    5. Joshua Member

      Is be interested to see if the 3% number for immunocompromised individuals holds for vaccine response in Covid-19. Infectious disease specialist Monica Ghandi said on a video with Dr. Zuni Damania that most people who classify themselves as immunocompromised are not, and that the overwhelming majority of folks will produce antibodies to a dose of vaccine.

      https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=W_AVF-PZ27Q

      When you also include that one way masking with an N95 mask offers excellent protection to the...

      Is be interested to see if the 3% number for immunocompromised individuals holds for vaccine response in Covid-19. Infectious disease specialist Monica Ghandi said on a video with Dr. Zuni Damania that most people who classify themselves as immunocompromised are not, and that the overwhelming majority of folks will produce antibodies to a dose of vaccine.

      https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=W_AVF-PZ27Q

      When you also include that one way masking with an N95 mask offers excellent protection to the individual, what someone else is doing as far as mask wear goes is irrelevant.

    6. neppy24 New Member

      I am a transplant patient and immunocompromised as well. I wear mask too but I will not demand or request the other 97% to wear mask or get vaccine for me. There is a risk going to places using public transportation , so I protect myself and it is my responsibility. It is very wrong to make rules because of small percentage.

  20. Samo Guest

    Complete non-event. It was just a recommendation and no one cared. Half of Europe got rid of masks already and the rest will get rid of them whenever they feel like it. This doesn't change anything.

    1. Ray Gold

      You must not live in Europe. Half of Europe hasn’t dropped masks on public transportation.

    2. Samo Guest

      Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Estonia, Poland, Slovakia, Czechia, Hungary, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Ireland, Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia are among countries that no longer require masks on public transportation (ok, Sweden should be in its own category as they never did) and most of local airlines have removed the requirement as well.

      Masks remain mandatory primarily in southern Europe + Germany.

  21. Alex Guest

    “I’m Still Wearing My N95 Mask Because I Care About Society’s Most Vulnerable”

    “At this point, a fundamental shift is required that posits public good, care for others, reduction of community spread, and future pandemic preparedness. We need to use both public-health mitigation strategies—like routinely wearing effective masks—and clinical interventions, like antivirals, hospitalization, and critical care, to minimize community spread and to protect as many people as possible.“

    Read the article here:
    https://time.com/6174014/still-wearing-n95-mask/

    “I’m Still Wearing My N95 Mask Because I Care About Society’s Most Vulnerable”

    “At this point, a fundamental shift is required that posits public good, care for others, reduction of community spread, and future pandemic preparedness. We need to use both public-health mitigation strategies—like routinely wearing effective masks—and clinical interventions, like antivirals, hospitalization, and critical care, to minimize community spread and to protect as many people as possible.“

    Read the article here:
    https://time.com/6174014/still-wearing-n95-mask/

    1. Not Lucky Guest

      Good luck. I'm in this camp. I travel, I meet people, I go to conferences, I'm sometimes in large groups. Because of that, I N95 when I'm around other people so that I'm not the root cause of the problem. Doesn't hurt me, and does help others. I test before and after every flight and while that's far from a perfect science, it helps reduce needless risk.

      I wish more people would think this way,...

      Good luck. I'm in this camp. I travel, I meet people, I go to conferences, I'm sometimes in large groups. Because of that, I N95 when I'm around other people so that I'm not the root cause of the problem. Doesn't hurt me, and does help others. I test before and after every flight and while that's far from a perfect science, it helps reduce needless risk.

      I wish more people would think this way, but the reality is that we are mostly about our own "freedom" and others be damned. At least on some issues, on other issues we're against "freedom", but lets leave that for another day.

      If people simply used an N95 in crowded (esp. indoor) situations, the world would be better off. Of course, if everyone just vaxxed and boosted, and had done so quickly, we probably wouldn't have to even think about masks to anywhere near this extent (in countries that had vaccine access). But that's the society we live in.

    2. Watson Diamond

      N95s are miserable. There's no "simply" about it.

    3. Not Luck Guest

      No they're not, so yes it is simple.

      See how this works?

    4. Ralph4878 Guest

      Also miserable: watching your beloved mother die a lonely, painful death over FaceTime because others really didn't care enough to wear a simple mask. Over 1,000,000 in the States alone, but FREEEEEEDUMB!

  22. GroeneMichel Gold

    Fi-na-lly... The world is moving on!

  23. Joe Chivas Guest

    Lufthansa should drop the mask requirement who all passengers who don't look visibly Jewish.

  24. Luke Guest

    Also trying to find information if the lifting of masks is only for flights or if its also for other public transportation including trains and buses. If its only on planes I might consider booking flights instead of train for traveling between EU countries like Amsterdam -> Paris hehe.

    1. Alex Guest

      Nothing has been lifted, a powerless EU agency has changed its recommendation, that's all. Individual countries make their own rules

    2. Ray Gold

      Hate to break it to you but Amsterdam and Paris are cities, not countries. Hehe (are you 6?)

  25. AA70 Diamond

    Any idea what the implications of this would be when flying from a mask required country such as Canada to the EU on an EU registered airline?

    1. mikesl1986 New Member

      I would imagine that masks would not be required once you left Canada but common sense went out the window with Covid so who knows.

    2. Ray Gold

      Usually the requirement is dictated by the country you will land. It isn’t based on the carrier. I recently flew SFO to FRA on a UA flight and mask was required. But BCN to EWR on UA wasn’t required.

  26. Luke Guest

    Wonder if Air France will drop their rules too which have been quite strict and not even accepting regular cloth masks. For this reason I had booked for next month to fly from CDG -> LHR -> JFK on British Airways in business class over nonstop CDG -> JFK on Air France because of mask rules, even with the high fees BA charges!

    1. Bob Guest

      President Macron of France (like Trump used to say) has just announced that in France.

      I guess Air France is not going to play anything against what the law says in France from next Monday.

Featured Comments Most helpful comments ( as chosen by the OMAAT community ).

The comments on this page have not been provided, reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any advertiser, and it is not an advertiser's responsibility to ensure posts and/or questions are answered.

Not Lucky Guest

Good luck. I'm in this camp. I travel, I meet people, I go to conferences, I'm sometimes in large groups. Because of that, I N95 when I'm around other people so that I'm not the root cause of the problem. Doesn't hurt me, and does help others. I test before and after every flight and while that's far from a perfect science, it helps reduce needless risk. I wish more people would think this way, but the reality is that we are mostly about our own "freedom" and others be damned. At least on some issues, on other issues we're against "freedom", but lets leave that for another day. If people simply used an N95 in crowded (esp. indoor) situations, the world would be better off. Of course, if everyone just vaxxed and boosted, and had done so quickly, we probably wouldn't have to even think about masks to anywhere near this extent (in countries that had vaccine access). But that's the society we live in.

6
Not Lucky Guest

'Murica! Where we think it's a dumb idea to take any responsibility for other people. You can feel free to sit next to me if you have a deadly communicable disease because it's MY problem to take care of myself, but I also have the right to shoot you dead if you walk on my lawn. Bizarrely though, despite having just said that everyone's life is their own responsibility and society has no obligation and government should not interfere, for some reason it's important for government to mandate that you also must give birth to your baby because it's a life. But no you don't get insurance in case you miscarry, because it's not a life I guess? And no benefits or child tax credit either. So confusing. Granted I'm evil too, because I have zero sympathy for those who didn't vax and boost and it is ridiculous that my tax dollars go to helping them.

5
Nige Guest

Every time I see someone still wearing a silly mask, I want to nudge them on the shoulder and say, “Nobody cares who you voted for”.

4
Meet Ben Schlappig, OMAAT Founder
5,163,247 Miles Traveled

32,614,600 Words Written

35,045 Posts Published

Keep Exploring OMAAT