When can we stop using the face mask in Spain, at least outdoors?
The country’s leading epidemiologist, Fernando Simón, has suggested the easing of this mandatory measure may soon be a reality although it will require a change in the law
With the coronavirus pandemic on a downward curve and the vaccination campaign going at a good pace in Spain, ‘when can we stop using the face mask, at least outdoors?’ is the million-dollar question. Although most of the population has become accustomed to wearing the mask, the reality is that the end of its mandatory wearing in certain situations is long-awaited by many.
Everything indicates that it will be during the month of July when the mandatory use of masks outdoors will end in Spain but it could even be earlier, during the month of June, suggested Fernando Simón, director of the Centre for the Coordination of Health Alerts and Emergencies speaking on Monday, 7 June.
The Ministry of Health expert had already recognised on previous occasions that it would be possible to relax this measure in summer and this Monday he even dared to anticipate that it could even be this month.
Of course, Simón has not given a specific date or set of requirements to relax this rule, he only said: “I think July, or even earlier, maybe a good date to consider stopping using masks outdoors.” However, the epidemiologist pointed out that the mask will continue to be mandatory in many situations, such as indoors: “There will be areas where it will be very difficult to remove their use until a larger percentage of the population is vaccinated.”
Simón pointed out, “It is necessary to remember that to stop using masks you have to modify a law, and this takes time, it is not a two-day process, but there are procedures that allow it to be accelerated and it is very possible that this will be the case by July.”
The virus expert at the Ministry of Health has also indicated that the decline in the coronavirus incidence rate in Spain is “slow but continues to remain stable”.
Published surinenglish.com 08 June 2021