Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Tom Blackburn & Ellie Kemp

Ryanair, Jet2, TUI, easyJet: Face mask rules as Covid travel restrictions to be scrapped

The UK will remove the last remaining Covid travel requirements from Friday, with the Easter holidays just around the corner. Transport secretary Grant Shapps announced that the need to complete a passenger locator form will be dropped later this week.

All measures will cease from 4am on Friday March 18, including the requirement of unvaccinated people to be tested for coronavirus.

Read more:

Mr Shapps said it would mean “you can travel just like in the good old days”.

But some airlines are yet to update their policies on face masks on flights and in airports - here is the latest...

Do I need to wear masks on flights?

Ryanair

Ryanair's website states that you must still wear a face mask or covering in the airport and on board your flight.

Some countries require this to be a surgical face mask. If you are travelling to/from/within Italy, Austria or Germany, it must be a FFP2 face mask.

Chief executive Michael O’Leary has said that he expects this requirement to be scrapped by late April or early May.

TUI

TUI is no longer requiring passengers to wear masks while flying to and from England and Northern Ireland, as this is not now a legal requirement.

However, the airline says it still “strongly recommends” that passengers continue to wear them.

EasyJet

EasyJet says it requires passengers aged six and over to wear masks while boarding its aircraft and throughout its flights.

The airline warns that passengers who do not wear a mask will not be allowed to board easyJet aircraft.

Jet2

Jet2 states on its website that it is no longer a requirement to wear flights on flights to and from England and Northern Ireland - but the airline says it recommends that passengers continue wearing them while on board its flights.

British Airways

British Airways says that starting from March 16, it will only require its passengers to wear masks during their flight if their chosen destination mandates it.

Virgin Atlantic

Virgin Atlantic is also “gradually” scrapping compulsory mask requirements on some of its flights. However, masks will still be needed on most Virgin Atlantic services as many of its destinations continue to require them on board flights.

Do I need to wear a mask in airports?

Most UK airports still require passengers over the age of 11 to wear masks while in the airport, reports Birmingham Live.

Manchester Airport has said that it is ' reviewing ' its rules on wearing face masks and will keep passengers informed of any changes.

Under current advice, the airport "strongly recommends" wearing of face coverings in all parts of the airport campus, including on airport buses.

Heathrow Airport has said it will no longer require all travellers to wear them from March 16th, but it will recommend that they continue to do so.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.