European Union states have agreed on common hygiene standards, such as social distancing and wearing masks on planes and airports, to help contain the COVID-19 spread, Reuters reported referring to German Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer.

“I am pleased that the German proposal was accepted by my colleagues at the European level and that we could agree on these uniform standards,” Scheuer told a European aviation conference.

Measures include mouth-and-nose protection for passengers from six years old and social distancing at airports. A high fresh-air quota in planes must be guaranteed and information must be available in several languages.  However, a middle seat does not have to remain free on aircraft.

The joint rules meet at least some of the airline requirements, as different standards have caused confusion.

Germany's transport ministry said the agreement had been reached by officials and had not yet been formally approved by ministers.