Wearing a mask will not be mandatory: What restrictions are still in place?

Since the beginning of the pandemic, officially announced in March 2020 in our country, one of the first measures taken by the Peruvian authorities was the use of the mask to be able to carry out activities in closed and open spaces, in order to make this a resource that does not allow transmissions of the coronavirus. Gradually, an order was made to use two (a three-fold surgical one under and over it a community mask) or a KN95.

This is how Peru proposed a series of strategies for the well-being of the population. Two years and months after the announcement was made, this April 20 the Council of Ministers approved that the use of masks will be optional in places where the third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine reaches or exceeds 80%.

The executive director of Public Health Surveillance (CDC), Cesar Munayco, said that Minsa would issue a proposal this week on the withdrawal of this resource in open places, which would be linked to the level of vaccination coverage.

POSITIONS ON THE OPTIONAL USE OF MASKS

- The Minister of Health, Jorge López, explained that the measure could be applied in Metropolitan Lima and Callao, Lima province, Ica and Áncash.

- The Medical College of Peru (CMP) presented a proposal, defining that, if the use of the mask is to be withdrawn in open spaces, a pilot plan should be started gradually in regions that register at least 80% of the population vaccinated with two doses.

- Premier Torres also reported that the return of all public servants to face-to-face work was also agreed in places where more than 80 percent of the population have been vaccinated

Which departments meet the requirements? Raúl Urquizo, dean of the CMP, highlighted that the list includes Metropolitan Lima, Lima provinces, Áncash, Callao and Ica. On the other hand, regions such as Puno, Madre de Dios and Ucayali, do not reach 65% of immunized.

RESTRICTIONS TO STOP THE PANDEMIC

As established in Supreme Decree No. 030-2022-PCM, as of April 1, 2022, all Peruvians and residents of the territory must comply with the following (updated on the 17th of this month on the official government platform):

- Respect physical distancing, not less than 1 meter, between people.

- Prioritize activities within your family nucleus.

- Wash your hands frequently.

- Avoid crowds.

- In addition, public and private entities must:

- Have their premises properly ventilated, with doors and windows open, when possible.

- Prioritize remote work and staggered hours for staff entry and exit.

- If you are over 18 and need to enter a place where people are crowded (shopping centers, galleries, supermarkets, markets, restaurants and the like in internal areas, casinos, etc.), you must present your physical or virtual card that proves that you have received, in Peru or abroad, the 3 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

- If you work in person, you must prove that you have all 3 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

- If you do not have the complete vaccination schedule, you must provide services through remote work, as long as the nature of your activity allows it.

- Parades, patron saint festivals and civil activities are suspended, as well as any type of gathering, social, political or other event that involves concentration or agglomeration of people and that put public health at risk.

- If you are over 12 years old and want to go to beaches, rivers, lakes, lagoons, swimming pools, coliseums and sports stadiums, you must present your physical or virtual card that proves that you have completed, in Peru or abroad, your COVID-19 vaccination scheme, and the booster dose for people over 18.

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