Mandatory mask wearing on planes and airports starts this Friday (25); see rules

Starting this Friday (25), the use of masks is mandatory again in airports and planes in Brazil. The measure was approved by the National Health Surveillance Agency on Tuesday (22) considering the epidemiological scenario of the increase in Covid-19 in the country.

The new resolution approved by Anvisa determines as mandatory the use of face masks inside airport terminals, means of transport and other establishments located in the airport area. The in-flight service on domestic flights remains free, as per the decision adopted in May.

Masks must be used fitted to the face, covering the nose, chin and mouth, minimizing spaces that allow the entry or exit of air and respiratory droplets.

It should be noted that the rule prohibits the use of:

• acrylic or plastic masks;
• masks equipped with exhalation valves, including N95 and PFF2;
• scarves, cloth bandanas or any other material that is not characterized as a protective mask for professional use or non-professional use;
• face shield alone;
• protective masks for non-professional use made with only one layer or that do not comply with the minimum requirements provided for in ABNT PR 1002

According to Anvisa, mandatory use does not apply to people with autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disabilities, sensory impairments or any other disabilities that prevent them from making proper use of the equipment, in addition to children under three years old.

Inside aircraft, masks can be removed to drink water or food during onboard service. The same goes for food courts or areas exclusively intended for meals at airports and in other areas of airport terminals.

In vehicles used to transport travelers to embark or disembark in a remote area, travelers and drivers must maintain the mandatory use of masks throughout the journey.

Anvisa considerations

On August 17, Anvisa had released the use of masks on planes and aircraft in the country. Since then, the measure a rule for a recommendation of use.

The decision to resume mandatory facial protection comes after the agency’s assessment of the epidemiological scenario of the disease in the country. Brazil faces an increase in the number of cases of Covid-19 in recent weeks. Public health experts estimate that the circulation of new, more transmissible Ômicron subvariants may be behind the spike in infections.

To establish the new norm, Anvisa held a meeting with experts who stressed that epidemiological data demand the return of non-pharmacological protective measures, such as the use of masks, mainly in public transport, in airports and closed or confined environments.

Representatives of the Brazilian Society of Infectious Diseases (SBI), the National Council of Health Secretaries (Conass), the National Council of Municipal Health Secretaries (Conasems), the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz) and the Brazilian Association of Collective Health participated in the meeting. (Abrasco), in addition to epidemiologists Carla Domingues and Wanderson Oliveira.

“The use of masks in higher risk environments, due to their characteristics of confinement, circulation and crowding, represents an act of citizenship and protection of the community and aims to mitigate the risk of transmission and contagion of the disease”, said the director Alex Campos, who proposed the measure.

According to Anvisa, the behavior of the pandemic, with seasonal characteristics, was also considered. In recent years, an increase in transmission of the virus has been observed in Brazil from November to January, a situation that may be further aggravated by the expected greater flow of travelers traveling through airports for school holidays and end-of-year parties. .