Brazil announces end of mandatory mask use in airports and airplanes

Brazil’s national drug regulator Anvisa suspended, on Wednesday (Mar. 1), the mandatory use of masks in airports and on airplanes. The decision was taken unanimously during its first regular meeting of the year.

Based on the improvement in the COVID-19 scenario in Brazil, with a reduction in cases and deaths compared to 2022, Anvisa directors decided to maintain only the recommendation of the use of masks in airports and on airplanes, especially for more vulnerable groups and people with respiratory symptoms.

"However, it is mandatory for the crew to provide face masks for suspected cases," Anvisa reinforced in a note.

The following measures remain in force in Brazil: disembarkation of passengers by rows; travel restrictions for confirmed cases of COVID-19; requirement of cleaning and disinfection of environments and air-conditioning units; and audible warnings about the use of masks in airports and aircraft, the note informed.

Timeline

The mandatory use of masks in airports and on airplanes in Brazil had been resumed in November of last year, in the face of a prospect of an increase in cases of the disease. A few weeks later, the country reached a new peak of COVID -19 infections, with 350,000 new cases.