Japanese Airlines to Make Mask Wearing Optional
An association of domestic airlines in Japan, which includes Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways, is planning to make wearing masks optional for passengers starting in May 2023.
The decision by the Scheduled Airlines Association of Japan, which has 19 member airlines, was announced on February 6, and follows government plans to lower the category of COVID-19 from May 8.
The Japanese government decided on January 27, 2023, to lower COVID-19 from a Category 2 infection — which covers potentially serious diseases such as tuberculosis — to Category 5, which is the same level as influenza.
Although most airlines around the world no longer require masks, passengers on Japanese airlines are still asked to wear a mask on board planes. The only exceptions are small children and people who can't wear a mask for health reasons.
However, there have been cases in which flights have been delayed because passengers refused to wear masks.
The change in policy from Japanese airlines is in line with government plans to change official guidelines on wearing masks both indoors and on public transport, so that it becomes a matter of personal choice.
Currently, people are advised to wear a mask indoors or on public transport if they cannot keep a 2-meter distance from other people.
However, in future people will be asked to use their own judgment to decide when to wear a mask.
According to government plans, wearing a mask indoors would only be advised for people with COVID-19 symptoms, and on public transport it would only be advised during busy and crowded periods.
