Brazil is the first country in the world to reintroduce a mask requirement on board commercial aircraft. From Friday 25 November 2022, the government wants mouth and nose covers to be restored in airports and aircraft cabins.

Only two months ago, i.e. relatively late, Brazil lifted the mask requirement in terminals and on board. Previously, stricter regulations were in place than in European countries, because no food or drink was allowed to be consumed for a certain flight duration in order to prevent the mouth-nose cover from being removed. For longer flights, the airline was allowed to offer greatly reduced services.

It doesn't get that far this time, because the order for the new mask requirement explicitly states that it may be removed while eating food and drinks. Until May 2022, there was no catering at all on many flights, especially domestic ones, as this was prohibited by the authorities. Incidentally, this also applied to snacks brought along.

The Brazilian Covid-19 panel believes that the reintroduction of masks on public transport, terminals, train stations and in closed spaces should be necessary. In Europe, more and more scientists are of the opinion that the obligation to cover your mouth and nose on public transport, including airplanes, is of little use, as these have never been hotspots of infection.

It remains to be seen how other states will react to Brazil's advance and whether this might trigger a new "trend". Since the South American state is going it alone in the region there, difficulties are likely to arise with regard to enforceability on international flights.

"The use of masks in high-risk environments, given their characteristics of confinement, traffic and crowds, constitutes an act of civic participation and community protection, and aims to reduce the risk of transmission and contagion of the disease," according to Anvisa boss Alex Campos, who was able to prevail with his reintroduction proposal.

The recent mask requirement in Brazil also brings some changes. Face shields, plastic chin masks, scarves or headscarves that are tied over the mouth and nose and any type of mask with exhalation valves are no longer permitted. Otherwise there are no regulations as to what material the mouth and nose cover has to be made of. This means that surgical, fabric, FFP2/FFP3 and theoretically real gas masks are allowed. The developments of the next few weeks will show whether the reintroduction of the mask requirement for passengers can be enforced.