Travelers will soon no longer have to wear masks at some Australian airports, with the mandate to be lifted in four states and territories starting this weekend.
The federal government announced on Tuesday that the Australian Committee on Health Protection (AHPPC) had recommended that the use of masks at airport terminals be ruled out from midnight on Friday.
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However, once the recommendations were published, individual states were allowed to leave office.
In New South Wales, Queensland and the ACT, the mandate at airports will be lifted from midnight on Friday 17 June.
The WA government is also lifting the mandate, which will take effect on Saturday, to further ease COVID-19 restrictions across the state.
Many will be happy to see the much-hated rule disappear, but not all states have confirmed it yet. Credit: AAP
No announcement has been made by the governments of South Australia or Victoria about changes to the mandate.
Those flying will still need to mask when on board the aircraft to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19.
The AHPPC said it was “no longer proportionate” to be forced to wear a mask at the airport terminal, as facial coverage rules had been abandoned in most other community settings.
“We anticipate that the traveling public will notice this change in the days following Friday as individual state and territory jurisdictions make the necessary changes to their public health orders,” Health Minister Mark Butler said. , and Transport Minister Catherine King in a joint statement.
“The government is advised that the AHPPC will continue to actively consider the use of masks on flights and will issue further advice on this in the future.”
Travelers have been encouraged to continue wearing masks in indoor environments where social distancing is not possible.
“The AHPPC continues to recognize the role of masks, along with other public health measures, in minimizing the transmission of COVID-19 and influenza and protecting the community at large, including those who cannot be vaccinated. “People with a higher risk of serious illness,” said the AHPPC.