Swedish airports ask passengers to wear face masks
Ten of Sweden's major airports have updated their coronavirus guidelines for passengers to recommend the wearing of face masks inside the terminal.
The recommendations are in place at the ten airports operated by state-run Swedavia: Arlanda, Landvetter, Bromma, Malmö, Luleå, Umeå, Åre, Visby, Ronneby and Kiruna.
They came into effect at Arlanda last week and have been rolled out at the other airports step by step, despite Swedish health authorities not recommending mask-wearing for the general public.
The decision was made based on health and safety protocols issued by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, which state that "the use of medical face masks should be recommended for all passengers and persons at the airport and in the aricraft, from the moment they enter the terminal building at the departure airport until they exit the terminal building at the destination airport" although exceptions may be necessary.
"There is an expectation that people should wear face masks at airports, not least internationally. Most airlines require them on their flights today," Swedavia press officr Lovisa Ernestam told the TT newswire, after Swedish public radio station P4 Gotland first reported on the new recommendations.
No one will be turned away from Swedavia's airports for not wearing a face mask, said Ernestam. "But the staff may come up to you and inform you of the possibility to buy face masks at the airport," she added.
Staff working closely with travellers are however required to wear face masks.
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The recommendations are in place at the ten airports operated by state-run Swedavia: Arlanda, Landvetter, Bromma, Malmö, Luleå, Umeå, Åre, Visby, Ronneby and Kiruna.
They came into effect at Arlanda last week and have been rolled out at the other airports step by step, despite Swedish health authorities not recommending mask-wearing for the general public.
The decision was made based on health and safety protocols issued by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, which state that "the use of medical face masks should be recommended for all passengers and persons at the airport and in the aricraft, from the moment they enter the terminal building at the departure airport until they exit the terminal building at the destination airport" although exceptions may be necessary.
"There is an expectation that people should wear face masks at airports, not least internationally. Most airlines require them on their flights today," Swedavia press officr Lovisa Ernestam told the TT newswire, after Swedish public radio station P4 Gotland first reported on the new recommendations.
No one will be turned away from Swedavia's airports for not wearing a face mask, said Ernestam. "But the staff may come up to you and inform you of the possibility to buy face masks at the airport," she added.
Staff working closely with travellers are however required to wear face masks.
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