A European recommendation for people to wear face masks for air travel has been scrapped.
The European Aviation Safety Agency and European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control decision will take effect from May 16th.
In a joint statement, they said the update "takes account of the latest developments in the pandemic, in particular the levels of vaccination and naturally acquired immunity, and the accompanying lifting of restrictions in a growing number of European countries."
It is now up to individual governments and airlines whether or not to update the rule.
Vulnerable people who are travelling are also being encouraged to continue wearing masks.
"Vulnerable passengers should continue to wear a face mask regardless of the rules, ideally an FFP2/N95/KN95 type mask which offers a higher level of protection than a standard surgical mask."
Passengers are also being encouraged to observe distancing measures indoors wherever possible, and airports are asked to adopt a "pragmatic approach" to distancing to avoid bottlenecks.
