Masks are compulsory on planes to and from Germany from today

Created: 05/16/2022, 08:38

By: Martina Lippl

Masks are still compulsory on flights to and from Germany.

© Federico Gambarini/dpa

Some countries in Europe take it easy when it comes to air travel.

In Germany, on the other hand, masks are still mandatory on flights.

Berlin – As of Monday, the aviation security agency EASA and the EU health authority ECDC no longer recommend the general obligation to wear masks in airports and airplanes.

For flights to and from Germany, there is no end to the mask requirement to protect against corona infections from this Monday (May 16).

Corona in Germany: Masks are still mandatory on flights

According to the Federal Ministry of Health, this applies to all machines that take off or land in Germany.

FFP2 or medical masks must be worn during boarding and disembarking and throughout the flight.

You can only lose it by eating and drinking.

Children under the age of six are exempt from the obligation.

The ministry explained that the mask requirement also corresponds to the new EU recommendations.

EU lifts general mask requirement on airplanes

The aviation safety agency EASA and the EU health authority ECDC have updated their joint flight safety protocol.

From Monday, there will no longer be a general obligation to wear a mask in airports and airplanes.

If masks are compulsory in traffic at the departure or destination, this should also continue to apply in machines.

In Germany, the nationwide mask requirement on airplanes and long-distance trains is set out in the Infection Protection Act until September 23rd.

Masks are also compulsory in local transport with buses and trains, which are stipulated by the respective federal states.

In which EU countries does the mask requirement still apply?

In general, the relaxed EU recommendation does not mean that masks are no longer required on all flights.

Europe's largest low-cost airline Ryanair has published a list of 15 EU countries in which national laws still require the wearing of face masks to prevent corona.

In addition to Germany, important tourism destinations such as Spain, Greece, Portugal and Italy are also included.

Masks remain mandatory on flights to and from Germany, Austria and Italy

• Germany – FFP2 mask requirement

• Italy – FFP2 mask requirement

• Austria – FFP2 mask requirement

• Spain - Mask requirement

• Portugal – Mask requirement

• Greece – FFP2 mask requirement in transport and public spaces.

Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing (FDP) had spoken out in favor of an end to the mask requirement on planes, trains and buses, which the transport industry is also demanding.

However, the federal government is not planning to abolish it for the time being.

Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) explained that with the number of cases still being very high, “there is no scope to do without masks on public transport”.