The worst of the Covid pandemic is over and most mandates have been lifted, including mandates on wearing masks when flying. So should you still bother to wear a mask when traveling? 

Most health experts say that it’s still a good idea for travelers to protect themselves with high quality face masks. It’s not just Covid-19 that you should be worried about. Airports and airplanes are full of other airborne pathogens that could make you sick. 

Do You Still Need to Wear a Mask for Covid When Traveling? 

There’s currently no federal law requiring passengers, in any mode of transport, to wear masks when traveling. Most airlines, in the US and around the world, have also dropped such requirements. So in most cases, you can just get on a flight or board a train without having to wear a mask. 

While Covid cases have declined significantly, mostly thanks to vaccination efforts, the infection is still around. And surges in infections still happen, particularly around holidays. 

Crowded places like airports and inside airplanes are high-risk areas where you are likely to be exposed to Covid. Many experts say that people should still wear a mask to protect themselves from Covid. Even if you are vaccinated, it’s still a smart idea to wear a mask especially when you are in indoor public areas. 

You should also mask up if you are at a higher risk of serious infection (e.g. you are immunocompromised, have diabetes, are obese etc.) or you live with someone at a high risk of infection. 

Not Just Covid — A Face Mask Protects You From A Lot More

Even if you are not that worried about Covid, there are plenty of other reasons to wear a mask when traveling. Airports and train stations can get pretty crowded, meaning there are plenty of germs floating in the air, not to mention on surfaces.  

While the air inside airplanes is filtered, there is still a risk of infection particularly before you take off since the filtration system is only turned on when the plane is in the air. 

Wearing a mask protects you from different kinds of infections including the flu, RSV, common cold and others. 

A face mask is also useful if you suffer from allergies. When traveling, you can get exposed to allergens like dust, pollen and mold spores. Keeping a mask on is the easiest way to protect yourself. 

The Best Type of Mask to Wear When Traveling 

When traveling, get a mask that provides a high level of protection and is comfortable to wear. Disposable surgical and reusable cloth masks provide the lowest level of protection, but they are better than no mask. 

N95 and KN95 masks offer the highest level of protection against pathogens.  

A face mask should also be comfortable, otherwise you will be tempted to take it off after a short period. Comfort is especially important on long journeys. An uncomfortable mask can pull on your ears and even cause maskne (mask acne). 

Here at Hercleon, we have a special mask designed specifically for long haul travel — the Aplu flight mask. It’s comfortable on the ears, lets you talk without the mask getting in the way, and prevents mask acne. It’s perfect for a long flight or train ride. 

Other Ways To Protect Yourself

In addition to wearing a mask, here are a few other tips to protect your health when traveling. 

• Be careful about the surfaces you touch when in public areas. Don't touch any surfaces that you don't have to. 
• Pack a hand sanitizer in your carry-on and use it regularly. 
• Make sure you get all your vaccines for Covid, the flu and any other likely infections before you travel. 
• Keep your body well hydrated. This gives your body the best fighting chance against pathogens. Drink plenty of water before, during and after travel. 
• Getting plenty of sleep and rest will also keep your body strong and reduce the risk of an infection. Get adequate sleep before you travel and try to get some shut-eye during your flight. 

Final Thoughts

Most health experts agree that you should wear a mask whenever you travel. Covid is still around with the risk of infection being highest in public indoor areas. Even if, at some point, we are able to eradicate Covid, it would still be a good idea to wear a mask when traveling to protect yourself from the many other pathogens lurking in our environment.