Do you need a face mask to travel by plane? The answer isn't a straight yes or no. As of 16th May, in fact, the obligation to wear a face mask on board flights in European Union countries came to an end. However, each country is to introduce its own face mask rules for flights and Italy is one of the EU countries that still requires passengers to wear masks. We have the latest details on mask rules in Italy in May 2022, especially face mask rules for flights to and from Italy.
The end of the obligation to wear masks in planes and inside airports is foreseen by the new guidelines on travel safety (in force since 16th May 2022) released by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (AESA).
However, the new rules that no longer require the wearing of a face mask at airports and on flights may or may not be implemented depending on the airline even after 16th May. Not only that, according to protocol recommendations, flights to or from a destination where wearing a face mask is still required on public transport should continue to encourage its use among passengers.
In Italy, as is well known, the requirement to wear a face mask on long-distance and local public transport vehicles will be in place until at least 15th June. This was specified in a note issued by the Ministry of Health in response to the guidelines issued by AESA and the ECDC, which removed the recommendation on the mandatory use of face masks at airports and on board a flight.
In Italy, until 15th June, the obligation to wear FFP2 face masks remains in place on means of transport such as:
- aircraft used for commercial passenger transport services
- ships and ferries used for interregional transport services
- Intercity, Intercity Night and High Speed trains
- buses connecting more than two regions
- buses used for rental services with driver
- local or regional public transport vehicles such as buses, trams and metros.
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