Masks remain only in health centers, residences and pharmacies

From today, masks are no longer necessary in public transport. The Official State Gazette has published new norms that regulate its use from today and limit its application to health centers, residences and pharmacies.

What does BOE have to say about the new use of masks?

The new norm is an amendment of the Royal Decree of April 19, 2022. And this includes “The mandatory nature of mask use in health facilities and services has been maintainedIn Pharmacies and medicine cabinetsBecause they are areas where there may be a higher concentration of vulnerable people who are at higher risk of severe disease and on the one hand, where the potential for transmission is higher, because they are places where there may be more communicable diseases other than COVID-19. Number of people with respiratory infections”.

For this housesThe standards state that “the specific situation of social health centers and especially residences for the elderly should be taken into account. In these centers, the potential for transmission is also high, especially in the event of an outbreak, with high Influence by influencing people”.

So it determines thatremains liable to workers and visitors“. Whereas It will not be used on residents: “Since it is home to the people living there, the permanent use of masks will affect the well-being of these people, it also assesses that People inside the institution are not a source of infectionIn contrast to the people working in them and the visitors who come in contact with outside, who may be the agents that introduce the virus”.

This would not be mandatory in opticians or orthopedics as they are commercial establishments, not healthcare.

Where do we have to continue wearing masks?

it will be In all places considered sanitary and social-sanitary, In such a situation, it will always be necessary to keep a mask on hand to go to the doctor at the health center, to the hospital, to the ‘physio’ and to the pharmacy. According to the BOE, in the following cases:

• Las People who want to visit relatives and acquaintances admitted in the residenceToo.
• loss workers in all these places They will maintain the habitual use of masks.
• It will not be mandatory for admitted patients In hospitals or in people living in homes.

Recommendations for the use of masks: when and why

out of the norm, he’ll see the light BoE on 8 Februarymaybe they will be added basic recommendationsin which the appeal will be “Responsible use of masks”, as was done on previous occasions. Above all, it emphasizes Conditions in which people are undergoing a respiratory infection process And the mask is an element to avoid contagion to the closest persons and serve as a shield against transmission.

• vulnerable population In any situation in which you have prolonged contact with people at a distance of less than 1.5 meters.
• In the workplace and in the family environment, gatherings of friends and private functions when a person has a respiratory infection,

Why is the timely use of masks useful?

The Spanish Society of Epidemiology (SEE) warns that “the mask continues to be highly recommended For people with respiratory symptoms Compatible with COVID-19, flu, colds and other respiratory infections,

Seasonal periods when one is known to be large circulation of respiratory virus that can be concentrated in places closed for public use in which people move shops (shopping center, supermarket or small business); In closed spaces In which people spend time without eating and drinking (cinemas, theatres, concert halls, museums etc.) and in closed places where people spend time eating and drinking (bars, restaurants, nightlife venues…).

When did the use of masks start?

More than a thousand days have passed since the BOE was published, Order regulating its mandatory use dated May 20, 2020, Since then, they have been progressively withdrawn in some places in 2022.

For the first time abroad: Royal Decree 115/2022 of 8 February gave the green signal to leave the mask outside.

Later, in closed places: Royal Decree 286/2022 of 19 April abolished the use of masks indoors except in public transport and in places of hygiene and social-hygiene. This is what was in force till date.