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ARCHIVED - Spain declares that facemasks will still be obligatory on public transport for the foreseeable future
Masks will also continue to be required in pharmacies, health centres and nursing homes across Spain
Although the experts are in agreement that Spain is at long last coming to the tail end of the coronavirus pandemic, the Ministry of Health has this week revealed that there are no plans in the pipeline to scrap mandatory masks on public transport, in pharmacies and health centres or in residences for the elderly.
Speaking on Tuesday August 24, Health Minister Carolina Darías acknowledged that right now “there is a lot of light" at the end of the tunnel and several European countries have scrapped indoor mask-wearing altogether; however, Spain prefers to take a more cautious approach and see how the health situation evolves in the autumn.
“In this, as in other issues, we go hand in hand with the experts,” Mr Darías affirmed.
Public health expert José Martínez Olmos backed up the Minister’s statements, adding that the virus has by no means been eliminated and is still claiming lives (340 Covid-related fatalities were reported in the last week alone). Moreover, wearing masks in the coming months, even in a limited number of spaces, should have an “added value” when flu season begins.
In April this year, the Spanish government abolished mask-wearing in most indoor settings like bars, restaurants and supermarkets, but face coverings are still required in certain public places such as medical premises to protect the most vulnerable. It is mainly thanks to the successful vaccination campaign in Spain, Ms Darías added, that “has allowed us to get here.”
The Ministry is expected to redouble its efforts to encourage booster shots in the autumn with the arrival of Moderna and Pfizer jabs specially adapted to tackle the Omicron variants. At this point, people over the age of 80 and those living in nursing homes will be invited to receive a fourth Covid vaccination.
Image: Archive
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