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Translation from the information from the Spanish Government
The Council of Ministers on July 4 approved the agreement declaring the end of the health crisis caused by COVID-19. With the publication in the BOE of this agreement, the obligation to use masks also ends, although their use continues to be highly recommended in some cases.
Three years after the World Health Organization declared the global pandemic of COVID-19, the Government has agreed to end the health crisis caused by this virus. The use of masks was one of the measures established to stop contagion, a tool that has proven effective both in controlling the pandemic and in reducing the general transmission of respiratory infections.
This protection is especially relevant in the case of the most vulnerable groups and those with the highest risk of exposure and transmission of viruses and bacteria. Maintaining the culture of responsibility acquired in recent years is essential to continue protecting the health of all citizens and, therefore, wearing a mask will continue to be recommended in different locations and circumstances.
When is it advisable to continue using a mask?
The agreement declaring the end of the health crisis situation caused by COVID-19 includes an annex with recommendations specifying the cases in which it is advisable to continue using a mask.
It is important to continue using masks and other hygienic measures such as hand washing in the presence of respiratory infection symptoms.
Likewise, health centers are areas of special vulnerability in which the pandemic has shown the need to reinforce their use in certain situations, in particular:
by symptomatic people when in shared spaces.
By the professionals who care for symptomatic cases.
By people who work in Intensive Care Units (ICUs) and in units with vulnerable patients, following the infection control recommendations advised by the Preventive Medicine and Occupational Risk Prevention Services, according to the risk assessment of each health centre.
In hospital emergencies or Primary Care, including the waiting room.
In residential centers for the elderly and people with disabilities. the event of the appearance of symptoms in workers, residents or visitors, to avoid outbreaks, taking care in all cases of the physical and emotional well-being of the elderly.
Since when are masks no longer mandatory?
The obligation to wear a mask in places where it had been established -health centers and services, pharmacies and social health centers-, expires on the same day of the publication of the agreement of the Council of Ministers in the BOE, that is, the use of masks leaves to be mandatory as of July 5, 23.
