Air Passengers Not Required To Wear Masks Inside Airplanes: But Govt Says Wear Masks For Safety

With the gradual reduction in the number of COVID-19 patients, the civil aviation ministry has announced that the use of masks will no longer be mandatory during air travel.

However, the government has recommended that passengers use them preferentially.

Government Removes Mask Mandate: No Masks Required During Air Travel

The ministry stated that the most recent decision was made in accordance with the government’s policy of a graded approach to COVID-19 management response in a communication to the scheduled airlines.

As per the communication, “”… the in-flight announcements henceforth may only mention that in view of the threat posed by COVID-19, all passengers should preferably use mask/face covers.”

Mask no more compulsory during air travel but passengers should preferably use them: Govt

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 16, 2022

Additionally, it stated that any specific mention of a fine or other sanction was not required to be made during in-flight announcements.

The nation’s active coronavirus cases made up just 0.02 percent of all infections, and the recovery rate increased to 98.79 percent, according to the most recent official statistics. The case fatality rate has been reported as 1.19 percent, and 4,41,28,580 people have recovered from the sickness.

In June this year, the aviation regulator body Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had made wearing of masks mandatory in flights and at airports through guidelines.

It also added that any passenger(s) refusing to to follow Covid-19 guidelines will be allowed by the airline to be deboarded or be treated as ‘unruly’. 

The DGCA had announced that passengers will only be allowed to remove their face masks under exceptional circumstances and reasons, a move put into place given the rising Covid-19 cases across the country, coming in line with the Delhi High Court order.

Air Travel May Increase Omicron Transmission

According to experts, you are two to three times more likely to catch omicron germs while traveling through air.

According to David Powell, physician and medical adviser to the International Air Transport Association, Aircraft passengers are twice or even three times more likely to catch Covid-19 during a flight since the emergence of the Omicron variant. It should be noted that International Air Transport Association represents almost 300 carriers worldwide.

Even if the mask mandate has been removed, it would be preferable to keep wearing them while we travel through flights.