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Five popular Spanish regions are reintroducing mandatory masks for health centres. The rule comes after the surge in Covid and flu infections during the holidays.
In the Valencia region, the number of respiratory infections rose to 1,501 cases per 100,000 inhabitants between Christmas and New Year. Valencia’s health authorities have therefore once again required people with flu-like symptoms to wear masks in health centres, as well as medical professionals and family members or friends in waiting rooms.
Valencia is not the only region where the number of Covid-19 and flu infections is at a peak. The Spanish Association of General Practitioners has called for the use of masks to be made mandatory in health centers across the country. According to Spanish media, the Minister of Health will propose reintroducing the rules everywhere next week.
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The regions of Murcia, Catalonia, Galicia and Aragon are already taking off. Like Valencia, they have introduced mandatory masks for hospitals and health centers. The Aragonese authorities also added that they “strongly recommend” their citizens to remove their masks again in public places, especially in small spaces.
Spain was one of the last European countries to eliminate mandatory masks after the pandemic. Until February last year, residents had to wear masks on public transport and until July in hospitals and pharmacies.
2024-01-05 20:37:02
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