They are not the first airlines to permit bare faces. Guests who were previously banned from flying Alaska for refusing to wear a mask will remain banned even after the mask policy is rescinded, the airline noted. Dear Tripped Up, My wife and I are both fully vaccinated and we're planning to visit Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic and France next month. Current mask policy: The UK-based airline will eliminate mask requirements on its aircraft on March 27 "on flights where masks are no longer legally required at both ends of the route." Some proponents of ending mask mandates argue that so long as vaccines are preventing serious disease, case counts are irrelevant, because most international travelers are vaccinated. But the airline still requires them for travelers 12 and older if they are flying to or from Wales or Scotland. The mask is slipping from the travel industry literally, as airlines race to free the face on flights. These countries are: Ryanairs Eddie Wilson says he expects more countries to drop air travel mask rules in the coming days based on the recommendations of the European Air Safety Agency and European Centres for Disease Control. Masks are welcome and remain an important preventive measure against COVID-19, the passenger rail service said in a statement on April 19. It may be argued that the most effective mitigation measure to date has been mandatory masking in-flight, said Dr. Khatib. But there are hints that the tide may be turning: Within the past few weeks, Danish airports and Londons Heathrow Airport have lifted their mask requirements, as have several major British airlines. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. When the mask mandate does drop, Michael Boyd, president of aviation consulting firm Boyd Group International, expects that airlines will respond quickly. They are also mandatory from the moment you arrive at the airport and throughout your Air France flight., It is mandatory to wear a surgical mask or an FFP1, FFP2 or FFP3 type mask, without an exhaust valve, on board.. 18 people died in rip currents this month. | CEO is hosting | Fees and chores | Slave cabin apology | No more parties | Accidental break-in | Pet-friendly additions, On the road: Weed tourism | Weird resort fees | Wienermobile life | A day at a truck stop | Tracing the Great Migration | Hotel room lights | Greyhound road trip | Green hotels | How environmentalists travel | Road trips with pets | Road trips with babies, Local guides, travel tips and the latest industry news. Not just any mask, though, but one with "two-layered secured cloth that completely covers your nose and mouth and fits snugly to the sides of your face and under your chin." Some European airlines are no longer requiring masks on flights, so after security, if you board such an airline, they can be removed. Remember: many people still feel safer wearing a mask because of personal or family health situations, so please be respectful of their preferences, Uber posted on its website, noting that the CDC recommends wearing masks. Furthermore, British Columbia removed the mask mandate everywhere but doctors offices, patient contact areas, and federally regulated workplaces. The nation is generally wide-open for visitors from the USA and Canada, but visitors from the UK still need a PCR test to enter. Currently, a mask isn't required for domestic flights unless you're going through select New York City airports. Here is a look at the confusing state of mask wear in the sky. Griff said Canada could act faster than the United States, given its recent decision to drop testing requirements for vaccinated travelers. Apr 19, 2022, 7:40 AM Philip Pilosian/Shutterstock Mask requirements on planes became a commonality across the globe after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Dutch airline KLM will no longer enforce a face mask requirement onboard starting this week, despite government rules in the Netherlands, along with other carriers. Passengers are no longer required to wear masks in England or Northern Ireland, but passengers 6 years and older traveling in Scotland must still wear them. Sometimes it has been a catalyst for conflict, with public-facing employees such as flight attendants facing confrontations with unruly passengers over health and safety requirements. To reduce the risk of transmission, they should wear a good mask. "Air operators must notify each passenger, and receive confirmation, that they have a face covering as early as possible during their journey. Czechia removed its mask mandate back in March 2022, for almost all indoor places. Can you please update this list for fall/winter as I know some countries have brought masks back, particularly in Europe. Should mask rules on planes be lifted? While this means that our employees are no longer required to wear a maskand no longer have to enforce a mask requirement for most of the flying publicthey will be able to wear masks if they choose to do so, as the C.D.C. 11 International Destinations Where Masks Are Still Required Published by FareCompare on August 29, 2022 As the world adjusts to an ongoing "post-COVID" landscape, many countries have all but eliminated most masking requirements or other safety measures. Earlier this month, German officials extended the country's current face mask . Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Most of the world still mandates the use of face coverings in indoor environments. Weve all become accustomed to wearing masks in the last two yearsespecially when were traveling. Parents of children under 5 have expressed mixed feelings about the mask mandate in the United States. The airline said guests. 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Spirit Airlines Spirit Airlines has made masks optional, according to a statement from the airline. For example, Alberta scrapped the legal requirement to wear masks in all indoor areas other than hospitals. Europes Best Holiday Destinations Where to Go in July? TRAVEL + LEISURE is a registered trademark of Travel + Leisure Co., registered in the United States and other countries. The credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which ThePointsGuy.com receives compensation. Some airline employees in England rejoiced at their reclaimed freedom from enforcing mask rules at 30,000 feet. Airline CEOs call for end to mask mandate. The new rules will apply to all domestic U.K. routes, except to or from Scotland, as well as to Jersey, Hungary, Denmark, Gibraltar and Iceland. Write to Nik Popli at nik.popli@time.com. Traveler Alert: Dont Forget Travel Insurance For Your Next Trip! Should the guidance change, we will adjust our policy accordingly, the statement continued. Here is what travelers need to know about masking on flights in the United States and abroad. Other train systems like Brightline, a regional rail service in Florida, and the D.C. Metro are making masks optional for passengers. This story was originally published in May 2022, and has been updated to include current information. In keeping with our commitment to creating a welcoming environment for everyone who travels with us, customers and team members may choose to continue to wear masks at their own discretion.. The airline added that, as a result, it had seen an increase in "unruly" behavior on flights. Heres how to stay safe. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. This applies to everybody over the age of 6, barring those with medical exemptions. Ar; Es; News Politics Economy Sports Arts&Culture Health . ACI Europe Announces Winners of 2023 Best Airport Awards, Dutch Immigration Authorities Stop Taking Decisions for Asylum Seekers From Sudan, EU Travel & Tourism Sector to Reach 98% of Pre-Pandemic Levels This Year, Noisy Tourists in Portugal Can Be Fined Up to 4,000 This Summer, Dublin Named Worlds Best Weekend Destination for 2023, Belgians Embarked on 21.8 Million Trips Last Year, Nearly Reaching Pre-Covid Levels. From March 23, KLM announced it will no longer enforce the wearing of masks on its flights, despite the Dutch government's refusal to lift mask-wearing rules on public transport. 4/20/2022 Monday, U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle struck down a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's travel mask mandate -- a mandate set to expire May 3 -- saying the CDC. When she's not in New York City, she likes to spend her time at the beach or exploring new destinations and hopes to visit every country in the world. KLM told RTL News in a statement that the move to not lift the mandate on air travel was disappointing. The airline did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the decision. Wearing a well-fitting masksuch as a KN95protects the wearer, even if others around them are not wearing masks, according to our Chief Health Officer Dr. Henry Ting., The airline also noted the unexpected nature of this announcement and alerted customers that it may take some time to remove all of its old mask signage from airports across the nation. You could be hit with a $35,000 fine for refusing to wear a mask on a Delta flight. Both airlines said wearing a mask was a personal choice, and clarified that the shift only applies while flying to or from destinations where there are no mask requirements, such as England and Barbados. Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. Theres enough hassles with flying already, he said. Safety: Bird strikes | No-fly list proposal | Could you land a plane? Are U.S. carriers next? As per countries that have lifted their face covering requirement, Eastern European countries such as Romania, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Poland, and Hungary, in addition to Croatia, Ireland, the Netherlands, Czech Republic, and the UK, no face mask is required to reach these destinations. In Europe, countries like the United Kingdom, Iceland, and Ireland are increasingly ditching masks altogether, and several airlines have followed suit. Covid is not over, said Leonard Marcus, the director of Harvards Aviation Public Health Initiative, which produced a report that some airline executives have used to rationalize ending mask requirements. For destinations where the wearing of a face covering is not mandated, our customers are able to make a personal choice, and we kindly request everyone respects each others preferences.. The Maldive islands recently removed their entry requirements, state of emergency, along with their mandatory mask mandates on March 14, 2022. More than half of European Union countries have, however, already dropped face mask rules for air travel. Canada is also down to its lowest number of cases since December. Masks are now optional for all Delta passengers and employees at U.S. airports and on board domestic flights, the airline announced Monday night. "Your face mask needs to cover your mouth and nose, fit securely and must be worn unless you're under 12 years of age or have a medical exemption," it reads. Greece should be added now (since June 1). First flight done without a mask and it was an absolute dream, a woman, who identified herself as a flight attendant from Yorkshire, England, on her social media accounts, recently wrote on Twitter, alongside a photo of her fully visible smile. Two additional British airlines, Jet2 and TUI Airway, had previously dropped their mask requirements, and passengers began flying without face coverings throughout Scandinavia last October. Canada dropped the requirement for pre-entry tests on April 1, but Air Canada has not dropped masks on flights. Gate agents have no control over whether flights get delayed, but . TheTravel Off Path Community FB grouphas all the latest reopening news, conversations, and Q&As happening daily! However, many countries treat all travelers the same, regardless of vaccination status, and have eliminated entry requirements as a result. A Country-by-country Guide, UK Drops All COVID-19 Travel Restrictions, Delta's Mask Policy Bans This Type of Face Covering, Uncomfortable Flying Without the Mask Mandate? Watch on As of April 2021, only a few international airlines do not require masks. Other carriers, such as easyJet have made similar announcements for U.K. travel, and major travel hubs such as Londons Heathrow Airport, as well as Danish airports, recently scrapped their face-covering rules. We likely won't be updating this article as we transition out of covid-related content, but there is a change we might publish something new if enough countries reinstate. Although a federal judge ruled to overturn the nationwide mask mandate on public transit, the decision-making power is ultimately in the hands of local transit agencies. While covid fatigue is real, most mandates have been driven by the current and forecasted infection rates, she said. So which airlines are holding fast on mask rules, and which are letting go? Masks are optional on all other European flights as well as flights within Iceland and to and from Greenland. On April 1, 2022, Latvia removed all their remaining entry requirements, along with their mask mandate. Here's our, island nation also removed its entry requirements, European airlines are no longer requiring masks on flights. In cases where mask rules havent been lifted, Wilson says Ryanair will still require passengers to wear face masks. still has relatively strict mask requirements in most areas despite decreasing COVID-19 restrictions. Icelands mask mandate was removed on February 25 with their official government site stating Masks are not mandatory anywhere. "Given that we have entered a different phase of dealing with this virus, we strongly support your view that 'COVID-19 need no longer control our lives. On May 16, 2022, a recommendation by the European Union went into effect advising countries to drop the requirement for masking on airplanes and in airports in the EU. Several British airlines have just suspended the requirement, but in the United States, the. Furthermore, Spain continues to impose travellers to wear a mask while travelling, with the countrys health minister, Carolina Darians, confirming the requirement. The letter went on: The high level of immunity in the U.S., availability of high-quality masks for those who wish to use them, hospital-grade cabin air, widespread vaccine availability and newly available therapeutics provide a strong foundation for the Administration to lift the mask mandate and predeparture testing requirement. @Ivanah, there is still a mask mandate on Greek ferries which is bizarre. Masks are still mandatory on flights to and from Canada, the U.S., Germany, Paris, and Zurich. Norwegian Current mask policy: As of April 4, mandatory face masks will no longer be required on flights across the Norwegian Network due to new guidance in Europe. Subscribe to the Daily Wander newsletter. Current mask policy: Virgin Atlantic changed its mask policy on March 16, allowing customers to choose if they wear a face covering, including on flights to Barbados, St. Lucia, Antigua, Grenada, the Bahamas, Jamaica, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago. The CDC still recommends wearing a mask while on public transit and we encourage customers to make the choice that makes sense for them, Coach USA and Megabus Vice President Colin Emberson said in a statement. When people properly wear a well-fitting mask or respirator, they protect themselves and those around them, and help keep travel and public transportation safer for everyone, the CDC stated. the other countries that still require face masks on flights are: Portugal . Both companies note that its users should be respectful of personal preference and may cancel a trip at no cost if they feel uncomfortable. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit. This article was published more than1 year ago. Unlike the United States, England never instituted a governmental mask mandate for air travel. The Finnish flag carrier minces no words: We no longer accept fabric masks on our flights. Aer Lingus is another airline yet to budge. '", The letter also included that airline staff members bear the brunt of passenger frustration at being forced to wear masks on flights. The Netherlands lifted its mask mandate for public transit Wednesday, but it still requires them for air travel. There is some evidence that passengers within two rows of an index case are at higher risk, said Patricia Schlagenhauf, a professor of travel medicine at the University of Zrich. "For destinations where we have established that the wearing of a face covering is not mandated, you are able to make a personal choice and we kindly request everyone respects each other's preferences," the airline wrote in its guidance. Travellers to Austria, Portugal, Cyprus, the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Malta, Estonia, Luxembourg, Germany, Greece, Lithuania, Italy, Latvia, and Spain, regardless of travelling internationally or domestically, remain subject to wearing a face mask while reaching these destinations. Confusion all around for British Airways, From Wednesday, March 16, customers will only be required to wear a face covering on board our flights if the destination theyre traveling to requires it, said CEO Jason Mahoney. Many of the credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which ThePointsGuy.com receives compensation. The low-cost domestic and international airline is no longer requiring passengers and employees to wear masks on its flights, though mask requirements for international travel remain dependent on the arrival/departure countrys regulations, the airline said in a statement Monday. Travelers should make sure they are up to date on the masking regulations for the destination(s) they are traveling to. Norwegian stopped requiring passengers to wear masks on April 4. This Spanish airline still requires that all travelers over the age of six wear a mask onboard their flights. I think its been relatively normalized for people to wear masks in public settings if they are feeling under the weather, she said. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our, Digital However, masks may still be required on routes to certain . The list will be updated as and when mask rules are changed. The Dutch carrier said it was becoming more difficult to justify the enforcement of masks to passengers when so many countries (including the Netherlands) are abandoning mask rules in public places on the ground. Poland. Greece Italy Latvia Lithuania Luxembourg Malta the Netherlands Portugal Spain Conspicuous by its absence on that list of course is France, one of the few main summer holiday destinations to have. Dr. Marcus said that its too soon for him to have an opinion on whether BA.2 merits an extension of the federal mask mandate. @Richard Berry, Particularly in Europe? 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Although the European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC) has recommended abolishing the mask requirement, which entered force yesterday, May 16, the majority of EU countries didnt follow suit, imposing the requirement for another undetermined period. Related: US airline heads urge White House to lift testing, mask mandate for air travel, "The persistent and steady decline of hospitalization and death rates are the most compelling indicators that our country is well protected against severe disease from COVID-19," the letter states. However, individual airlines in Europe make their own policies, and masking remains a requirement on some international flights. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. The advanced filtration systems on many planes refresh the air every two to three minutes. These include: - Air Austral: The French airline announced in December 2020 that masks will not be required for travellers on its flights. The Hungarian low-cost carrier says it is compulsory to wear face masks on board all its aircraft for both passengers and crew. However, on March 15 the airline made a U-turn on the policy, announcing passengers will soon be asked to make a personal choice as to whether they want to wear a mask to some destinations. Air France Compulsory (surgical masks only) Air France is one of the stricter airlines when it comes to masks. All Rights Reserved. The United States, Scotland, Italy and China are among the many countries that continue to require masks on planes. The decision to postpone lifting the face mask requirement can also be affected by a threat of another wave of COVID-19, as ECDC earlier this week reclassified Omicron VA.4 and BA.5 strains as variants of concern, considering that a number of COVID-19 cases with this strain have been detected across the 27-nation-bloc, especially in Portugal. Ireland has also become one of the worlds first nations to scrap all travel restrictions, making it one of the best places for travelers to visit. Mask mandates are still recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to allow more time to study BA.2 variant of omicron, which is now responsible for the vast majority of cases in the U.S, though the CDC will not enforce it and allows airlines and regional transit systems to decide their own mask policies. All of the major U.S. airlines have dropped their mask requirements for crew and passengers on domestic flights following the April 2022 ruling. These are the European Union countries that still require passengers to wear face masks on board aeroplanes: Austria; Cyprus; Estonia; Germany; Greece ; Italy; Luxembourg; . Since March 27, easyJet passengers traveling to countries where it is not a legal requirement to wear face coverings in public places can fly barefaced for the first time since July 2020, the airline announced. What Is a Normal Number of Flight Cancellations? Find the right card for you. "You must. But for victims living . The airline will still require masks on its flights to cities and countries where mandates are in place, such as Canada and much of Asia, however. Travel tips you can trust. I can't seem to find consistent information online. As COVID-19 travel restrictions ease around the world, these airlines have dropped their in-flight mask requirements. This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com, Delta Airlines Announces New Plant-Based Menu With Impossible Burgers, 5 Tips For Planning A Spring Break Road Trip. Norway has also removed all COVID-19 entry requirements for travelers, including the need to show proof of vaccination, complete a passenger locator form, and all testing requirements. - Advertisement - Last week, Virgin Atlantic and British Airways also announced plans to drop their mask requirements, after Jet2 became the first British airline to remove the requirement. Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. These countries are entirely free of masks: the Nordic countries (Denmark, Iceland, Finland, Norway and Sweden), Eastern European countries (Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovenia). Fewer countries require pre-arrival . You forgot Romania we don't wear masks anymore covid has completely disappeared here. This list will be updated. Related: We flew 4 major European airlines and their mask policies confused the hell out of us. Although the European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC) has recommended abolishing the mask requirement, which entered force yesterday, May 16. refresh the air every two to three minutes. On April 18, 2022, after a federal judge in Florida struck down the U.S. federal transportation mask mandate, all of the major U.S. airlines lifted their pandemic-era mask requirements for domestic flights. Your email address will not be published. You must wear a face mask on board and our crew wear PPE at all times, says the airline, which also boasts of being the worlds first carrier to force all its pilots and cabin crew to get vaccinated. Customers of course remain free to wear them if they choose, the airline said in a memo to employees. Southwest said it will continue to offer additional layers of protection against the spread of COVID-19, including sophisticated cabin air ventilation systems that use HEPA air filtration to remove at least 99.97% of airborne particles., The other discount airlinewhich could soon be owned by Frontier or JetBluealso announced on Monday that masks are optional. Next to no country in Europe has mandatory mask in almost all settings. This sudden end to the mask mandate may be confusing for some customers, Given the immediate nature of this change, our website and other customer-facing materials may continue to say a mask is required.
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