Anvisa removes mandatory masks on flights and airports

The board of Anvisa (National Health Surveillance Agency) met this Wednesday (17) and decided to remove the mandatory use of masks on flights and airports in Brazil. The measure will still be published in the Official Gazette (DOU) and will come into effect as soon as there is publication, scheduled to take place today.

According to the agency, the current epidemiological scenario allows some sanitary measures to be updated, including the mandatory use of masks. However, the entity reinforces that the physical distancing and the use of the accessory will still be recommendedas they are effective against the transmission of COVID-19.

“Given the current scenario, the use of masks, adopted until then as a collective health measure, is converted into an individual protection measure”, says the Anvisa document. Mandatory use of masks had been imposed in 2020 as a protective measure against coronavirus infection.

• Anvisa still maintains the following measures:

• Availability of gel alcohol at airports and aircraft;

• Cleaning and disinfection procedures;

• Air conditioning systems;

• Landing by ranks;

• Sound warnings with adaptations, recommending the use of masks, especially for vulnerable people.