Masks to remain obligatory on Italian flights after May 16

(ANSA) - ROME, MAY 13 - It will still be obligatory for passengers to wear facemasks on flights from Italy until June 15 even though an an EU-wide requirement for masks on flights and at airports ends on Monday, May 16, according to the latest guidelines from EU agencies .
    This is because the Italian authorities have decided to keep the obligation until the middle of next month and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) have said national regulations take precedence.
    "Wearing face masks at airports and inflight should be aligned with national measures on wearing masks in public transport and transport hubs," the guidelines said.
    "If either the departure or destination States require the wearing of face masks on public transport, aircraft operators should require passengers and crew to comply with those requirements inflight, beyond 16 May 2022.
    "Further, as of 16 May 2022, aircraft operators, during their pre-flight communications as well as during the flight, should continue to encourage their passengers and crew members to wear face masks during the flight as well as in the airport, even when wearing a face mask is not required". (ANSA).