The requirement to wear a mask on international flights to Australia will be removed, effective 12.01am on Friday 9 September, Catherine King, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government announced in a statement on Thursday.
This is based on advice from the Chief Medical Officer and is consistent with the decision of National Cabinet on 31 August on domestic flights.
“We encourage travellers to consider wearing a mask to reduce their personal risk of contracting and spreading COVID-19,” said Minister King.
Travellers should also be aware that airlines and countries they are travelling through may have different requirements.
“The Australian Government is grateful to workers across the international airline industry and the travelling public for their commitment to the public health requirements throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Your efforts have kept us all safer,” Minister King added.
Explaining that the requirement to wear masks on international flights to Australia was first implemented in January 2021 to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 on board flights, Minister for Health and Aged Care Mark Butler MP said that “It has been removed on the advice of the Chief Medical Officer that it is no longer proportionate in the current context”.
“I encourage everyone travelling overseas to be mindful of the continuing risk of COVID-19 and to take personal precautions to stop the spread and stay safe.”
