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More than three months after European infectious disease specialists advised EU member states to abandon their air travel mask mandate, Portugal lifted its own face mask rules for public transport, including air travel.
The announcement was made last Thursday and the rules were officially lifted on Saturday, which Portuguese Health Minister Marta Temido said were “good developments” in the country’s fight against COVID-19.
However, Mr. Temido pointed out that people should continue to assess their personal surroundings and take measures to protect themselves by wearing a mask if necessary.
Also, face masks are not required in all other public places in Portugal, except in hospitals and care homes for the elderly.
Portugal’s decision to phase out face masks now leaves Germany and Spain as the only major players in Europe requiring airline passengers to wear face masks.
In both countries, face coverings are not required in any other public place, including airport terminals, but are required by law once the passenger has boarded the aircraft.
Germany recently extended its own air travel mask mandate until April 7, 2023, requiring passengers over the age of 14 to wear an FFP2 mask, while children between the ages of six and 14 must wear a medical mask. Disposable masks will no longer be accepted.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz has faced pressure to lift the mask mandate after he was photographed on a government jet without a mask, but Germany’s health ministry said the rules were a necessary step to prevent the spread of the virus during the winter months.
In the next few months, other countries may reimpose airline mask mandates as cases of the virus begin to emerge. Cyprus recently reinstated its indoor mask mandate, although this regulation covers airport terminals and not aircraft.
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