Spain also eliminates the compulsory nature of the mask in most indoor spaces

The mask will no longer be mandatory in Spain as of this Wednesday in most indoor spaces, as is already the case in other European countries, after today the Spanish Government approves the end of its compulsory status after almost two years.

As it happened in February when it eliminated its obligation abroad, the argument of the executive presiding over the socialist Pedro Sánchez is that the situation against covid-19 in the country continues to improve, with the majority of the population vaccinated.

However, the mask will continue to be mandatory in health centers, nursing homes and public transport, and the recommendation to continue using it for cases such as crowds or for people who are more vulnerable to the virus remains.

“We are moving forward in the return to normality prior to the pandemic. The success of the vaccination campaign now allows us to start a new stage in the fight against COVID-19 ″, said the president of the Spanish Government on Twitter.

The mask covering mouth and nose was mandatory since May 2020 in Spain, but three weeks ago the health authorities determined that the pandemic entered a new phase in the country with a “favorable epidemiological context”, as recalled the Spanish Minister of Health, Carolina Darias, when exposing on Tuesday the new norm in force from tomorrow.

Another argument that stood out was the “high vaccine coverage”, of 92% of those over 12 years of age in the country, with a decline in all indicators of the pandemic and the severity of the disease itself.

Once Holy Week, whose celebration gathers crowds in some parts of the country, Spain joins European nations that have already shed what has become “one of the most symbolic elements of the pandemic”, such as France, Germany, Belgium, the United Kingdom or the Netherlands, while others such as Italy, Portugal or Greece choose to expect something else.

Shops, supermarkets, restaurants and bars, gyms, theaters, cinemas and concert halls are some places that say goodbye to the obligatory nature of the mask.

Also at work and in the classroom

While waiting for its publication on Wednesday in the Official Gazette to clarify some details, this element of protection against the virus is also no longer mandatory at work and in the classroom.

However, prevention services may decide whether to stay in workplaces under certain circumstances.

Therefore, from testing your employees for antigens before making a decision to keeping masks where the safety distance cannot be respected, such as in meeting rooms, are some of the measures that large Spanish companies contemplate, which face this goodbye wisely.

In general, the trend seems to suggest that the mask will be required when the safety distance cannot be maintained, so they will continue to be supplied to their employees, although they expect that they will no longer be mandatory at work and when travelling around the workplace.

In the school and university environment, “under no circumstances” will it be required in classrooms, only voluntary, after it has already been eliminated in recreational spaces without problems since February.

Although in this area, as in other areas, the new regulations recommend its “responsible use” if it is considered necessary for vulnerable people, such as immunocompromised, over 65 years old, patients with risk diseases or pregnant women.

Spain counts 103,721 deaths and some 11.7 million positive cases of covid-19 since the start of the pandemic, according to official data.

(With information from EFE)

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