Spain To Scrap Face Masks On Public Transport On February 7
Spain News
Published: 26 January 2023 15:58 CET
The Spanish government has today announced that it will pass a law to remove the need to wear a face mask on public transport on Tuesday, February 7.
Once passed, the law will then be published in the Official State Gazette, it is understood that the measure will then come into effect the following day, on Wednesday, February 8.
The news comes less than 24 hours after the director of the Health Alerts and Coordination Center of the Ministry of Health (CCAES), Fernando Simon confirmed that masks would be scrapped “next week or the week after.”
Speaking about the issue yesterday, Wednesday, January 25, Mr Simon said that the decision isn’t “solely” his. An agreement has to be reached by not only the Ministry of Health but also by the pandemic experts and the leaders of the autonomous communities.
The director stated that the Covid outbreaks in China have “complicated” the decision a bit but said that “the proposals are already on the table, so it will happen soon.”
Experts have supported the move as the incidence of Covid has remained stable. Even after the Christmas and New Year celebrations and the re-opening of the Chinese borders, the rate has continued to drop.
Spanish authorities have been randomly testing arrivals from China and research shows that the return of visitors from this part of the world has had no impact.
Although from next month face masks will no longer be mandatory on all public transport, the government said that for the time being, it will remain compulsory in all healthcare facilities and pharmacies.
Mr Simon stressed that “now it depends on each one of us, when we have symptoms, to use it responsibly. Also if we are vulnerable people. And understand that our health also affects others.”
According to the government, this latest move shows that Spain is “recovering normality,” however, officials are still encouraging vulnerable groups, anyone with underlying health conditions and those showing Covid-19 symptoms, to continue wearing masks in crowded places.
Sources
https://euroweeklynews.com/2023/01/25/wearing-masks-on-public-transport-to-go-next-week-or-the-week-after/
https://spanishnewstoday.com/masks-on-public-transport-in-spain-set-to-be-scrapped-in-a-week-or-two_1988208-a.html
