Reader question: Do I need to wear a mask on flights to/from Austria?
The EU has eased recommendations for face masks on flights and in airports, but member states are free to put their own rules in place.
Since Monday, May 16th, it is no longer mandatory to wear a medical-grade face mask on flights and at airports within the EU.
But Austria will continue with the rule for now, meaning that masks are required on flights to Austria.
The implementation of the EU recommendation is based on the national rules in individual countries.
For flights, where a destination country has a mask rule in place, then masks must be worn.
An Austrian Airlines spokesperson told the Kronen Zeitung: "The easing of the mask requirement is an EU recommendation that must be reflected in a national regulation in order to also apply in Austria."
The aviation safety agency EASA and the EU health authority ECDC states that if masks are mandatory on public transport at the point of departure or at the destination, then the regulation should also continue on board the aircraft.
According to current Austrian Covid-19 regulations, wearing an FFP2 mask is still required in hospitals, elderly and nursing homes, public transport (including stops and stations), taxis, customer areas of vital trade, such as supermarkets, and administrative buildings.
READ MORE: LATEST: What are Austria’s current Covid-19 rules
In addition to Austria, masks are still compulsory in some public areas in Germany, Spain, Portugal, Greece and Italy - all key tourism destinations for travellers from Austria.
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Since Monday, May 16th, it is no longer mandatory to wear a medical-grade face mask on flights and at airports within the EU.
But Austria will continue with the rule for now, meaning that masks are required on flights to Austria.
The implementation of the EU recommendation is based on the national rules in individual countries.
For flights, where a destination country has a mask rule in place, then masks must be worn.
An Austrian Airlines spokesperson told the Kronen Zeitung: "The easing of the mask requirement is an EU recommendation that must be reflected in a national regulation in order to also apply in Austria."
The aviation safety agency EASA and the EU health authority ECDC states that if masks are mandatory on public transport at the point of departure or at the destination, then the regulation should also continue on board the aircraft.
According to current Austrian Covid-19 regulations, wearing an FFP2 mask is still required in hospitals, elderly and nursing homes, public transport (including stops and stations), taxis, customer areas of vital trade, such as supermarkets, and administrative buildings.
READ MORE: LATEST: What are Austria’s current Covid-19 rules
In addition to Austria, masks are still compulsory in some public areas in Germany, Spain, Portugal, Greece and Italy - all key tourism destinations for travellers from Austria.
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