Wearing face mask not mandatory for passengers, say Emirates, flydubai and Etihad
Passengers may have to wear a mask if required by the destination
Wearing of face masks on Emirates and flydubai flights is no longer mandatory, the airlines said on Tuesday.
However, passengers may have to wear one if required by the rules at the destination.
“Wearing a face mask is optional in the UAE and on Emirates flights. If you are travelling from or transiting through Dubai International, the mask rules of your destination will apply throughout your journey,” Emirate said on its website.
Flydubai, too, said that wearing a face mask is optional for travelers.
"Effective from September 28, 2022, passengers travelling to Dubai do not need to wear a face mask while on board their flight. At the airport, wearing a face mask is optional and not mandatory," it said on its website.
Etihad Airways has also relaxed the necessity for wearing masks on its flights.
Wearing a mask is no longer required for all passengers, except those traveling to China, India, Indonesia, Japan, the Maldives, the Philippines, South Korea, Seychelles, or Canada, according to an Etihad Airways spokeswoman.
Etihad spokesperson stated that wearing masks on Canadian flights will be required until September 30th, after which will be optional for passengers.
The National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA) announced on Monday that it would ease COVID-19 restrictions in the country with effect from Wednesday, September 28.
The authority announced that wearing the face mask is optional in public places but is still mandatory in medical facilities, mosques and on public transport. Masks will be optional in schools.
All food service providers, coronavirus patients and suspected cases must wear masks.