The European Union will not require the wearing of masks at airports and planes starting next week, as measures against the coronavirus are being eased across the bloc, authorities said on Wednesday (May 11th).

The EU Aviation Safety Agency said the joint decision, taken with the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control, would mark “a major step towards the normalization of air travel” for passengers and workers.

The new guide “takes into account the latest developments in the pandemic, in particular vaccination levels and natural immunity, and is also accompanied by the lifting of restrictions by a growing number of European countries,” the two agencies said in a joint statement.

“However, passengers must behave responsibly and respect the choices of other passengers,” said Patrick Ky, president of the Aviation Safety Agency.

“And if a passenger who sneezes or coughs should be suggested to wear a mask, to protect the passengers sitting next to him,” he said.

While these recommendations will take effect on May 16, the masking rule may still depend on the decisions of airlines that operate flights to different countries, where there may be different rules for the COVID-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile, the director of the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Andrea Ammon, said that hand washing and keeping physical distance should still be practiced, but airline operators are advised not to impose physical distancing measures, if such measures cause obstacles.