With the new mask update being announced this week you may be scratching your head wondering if you need to don a face covering when on an Emirates flight.
Up until now, mask wearing on board Emirates flights have been subject to the destination that the plane is jetting into.
Since September 16, if a country is mask-free, such as the UK, then passengers have been able to remove masks once the plane’s doors have been closed for taxi and take off.
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However, all flights back into Dubai have required Emirates passengers to wear face coverings due to it being mandatory, up until Wednesday September 28, to wear masks in Dubai in indoor settings.
Until now, travellers have also been required to wear cloth or medical masks while at Dubai International Airport.
Exemptions have only applied to children under six years old and to travellers with certain medical conditions that mean they do not need to wear a mask.
However, big changes are coming into effect in Dubai from tomorrow – impacting the airport and potentially airlines in the future.
On Monday September 26, the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority announced that from Wednesday September 28 wearing face masks will no longer be mandatory in Abu Dhabi.
As part of the announcement, NCEMA announced that it will be up to airlines to decide “if wearing facemasks is mandatory or optional”.
#NCEMA: The aviation sector will adopt precautionary measures in accordance with the national aviation protocol, while airlines will decide if wearing face masks will be mandatory or optional.
— NCEMA UAE (@NCEMAUAE) September 26, 2022
#TogetherWeRecover
The only places in which it will be necessary to wear a mask in the UAE are mosques, hospitals and on public transport.
So, wondering if a plane counts as public transport? Well, as of Tuesday September 27, Emirates Airline still requires travellers flying into Dubai to continue wearing face masks.
The airline has decided to ask travellers to cover their mouths and noses with masks as they want to keep passenger safety aboard a top priority.
The good news is that when you are inside Dubai International Airport you will not be required to wear a mask.
It is advised that you check with individual airlines about rules before you set off on your travels.
Bon voyage.
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