Ryanair has become the latest budget airline to drop its face mask requirements for many journeys after the European Aviation Safety Agency (in conjunction with the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control) amended his opinion. The EU is now dropping its recommendation for the mandatory wearing of medical masks on the ground at airports and in the air during flights.

As the advice changes, EASA also noted that “a face mask is still one of the best protections against transmission of COVID-19” and said airlines would still be responsible for their own policies.

EASA Executive Director Patrick KY said: “From next week, face masks will no longer need to be mandatory in air travel in all cases, broadly aligning with the changing requirements of national authorities across Europe for public transport.

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Ky went on to say, “For passengers and crew, this is a big step forward in normalizing air travel.” However, the EASA executive also urged caution, “passengers should however behave responsibly and respect the choices of others around them. And a coughing and sneezing passenger should strongly consider wearing a mask facial, to reassure people sitting nearby.”

If you are considered clinically vulnerable, EASA recommends that you continue to wear an FFP2/N95/KN95 mask, which will provide a higher degree of protection than a cloth or surgical mask. In indoor spaces, they also recommend that you continue to observe some social distancing when possible.

Which Ryanair routes still have mandatory face masks?

The Mirror reports that Ryanair will still require face masks for multiple journeys, under guidelines set by those counties. Italy, for example, still requires holidaymakers to wear a high-quality FFP2 mask at airports and when boarding flights. The full list of destinations where Ryanair will still require face masks include:

• Austria
• Cyprus
• Czech republic
• Estonia
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Italy
• Latvia
• Lithuania
• Luxemburg
• Malta
• Netherlands
• Portugal
• Spain

When planning to travel, it is advisable to check the mask requirements in your destination country before you leave.