Heathrow and Gatwick confirm holidaymakers must wear masks after Freedom Day

Heathrow and Gatwick lead the airports in encouraging face masks
PA
Lily Waddell15 July 2021

Heathrow and Gatwick airport will continue to ask British travellers to wear masks after Freedom Day.

The legal requirement for face coverings to be worn in Britain will end on July 19 as the government lifts a number of coronavirus restrictions including social distancing and work from home guidelines.

Now Heathrow and Gatwick have followed suit in asking passengers to keep their coverings on in the terminal buildings, leading the way for other London airports.

A spokesperson for Gatwick told The Standard: “The airport will continue to ask passengers to wear face coverings throughout the terminal buildings and all staff will also wear face coverings in public-areas.

“This will however be advisory as - from the 19 July - the legal requirement to wear face coverings ends and Government guidance is that: ‘Government expects and recommends that people wear face coverings in crowded areas such as public transport’.”

A spokesman for Heathrow told Sky News: “Airports are unique environments with an international passenger profile.

“This is why face coverings were mandatory at Heathrow before the government made them a legal requirement and they will continue to be mandatory at the airport after 19 July as part of a multi-layered array of Covid-secure measures to ensure we protect our passengers, our colleagues and rebuild confidence in travel.”

A spokesperon for London Luton Airport confirmed: “Passengers and staff will still be required to wear face coverings while in the terminal.”

London City Airport told Standard: “All staff will continue to wear issued PPE, which includes face masks. We also ask our passengers to maintain a safe personal space when travelling through the airport and, for the time being, to wear a face mask at all times.”

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