Mask is once again mandatory on planes and airports in Brazil

The National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) determined the return of mandatory use of masks on planes and airports from Brazil. The decision was taken on Tuesday (22) in view of the increase in cases of COVID-19 throughout the national territory.

Measure starts to be valid on Friday (25), three months after being dropped by the agency itself. At the time, the directors justified that, based on the previous epidemiological scenario, the use of the mask could be an individual choice and not a compulsory measure.

In addition, Anvisa’s CEO, Antônio Barra Torres, explained that the issue of masks on airplanes was once again debated after the agency received comments from specialists and entities such as the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), the Brazilian Association of Collective Health (Abrasco), the Brazilian Society of Infectious Diseases (SBI) and the National Council of Health Secretaries (Conass).

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Anvisa also based its decision on the seasonal behavior of the pandemic. “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 who travel through airports for school holidays and end-of-year parties. year”, justified the agency.

Finally, the entity also stated that “it will remain attentive, evaluating and monitoring epidemiological data, so that the measures can be revised whenever necessary, aiming at the fulfillment of its mission in protecting people’s health”.

New rules for wearing a mask

Anvisa also determined some rules to be followed during the mandatory period of wearing masks. From the 25th, the individual protection item will be mandatory in airport terminals, means of transport and other establishments located in the area of ​​airports. The accessory must cover the nose, chin and mouth, being well adjusted to the face.

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 manufacturing requirements, provided for in the ABNT PR 1002 standard.

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The mandatory use of masks will be given to people with autism spectrum disorder🇧🇷 with intellectual disabilities, with sensory impairments or with any other disabilities that prevent them from making the proper use of a face protection mask, as well as in the case of children under three years of age. On-board service is still allowed during the flight, and it is possible to remove the mask during food.