Today, February 8, the end of the mask on public transport comes into effect. It will no longer be necessary to carry it on the bus, taxi, train or plane
From Today, Wednesday, February 8are no longer mandatory masks on public transport. The Official State Gazette (BOE) has published the new norm that regulates its use from today and limits its imposition to health centers, residences and pharmacies.
What does the BOE say about the new use of the mask?
The new norm is the modification of the Royal Decree of April 19, 2022. And it states that “The obligatory nature of the use of a mask in health centers and services is maintainedin the pharmacies and medicine cabinetssince they are areas where there may be a greater concentration of people vulnerable where the risk of serious illness is greater and, on the other hand, where the probability of transmission is higher, since they are places where there may be a greater number of people with transmissible respiratory infections, in addition to the Covid-19“.
As for the residencesthe standard explains that “the specific situation of social health centers and, in particular, residences for the elderly must be taken into account. In these centers, the probability of transmission is also high, especially in the event of outbreaks, with a high impact by influencing vulnerable people”.
So it stipulates that “the obligation for workers and visitors remains“. While its use will not be imposed on residents: “Since it constitutes the home of the people who reside there, the permanent use of the mask would affect the well-being of these people, also valuing that people inside the institution are not the source of infectionunlike the people who work in them and the visitors in contact with the outside, who may be the agents that introduce the virus”.
It will not be mandatory in opticians or orthopedics because they are commercial establishments, not health.
Where should we continue to wear a mask?
The face mask se mantendr in all spaces considered sanitary and socio-sanitary. In this way, it will be necessary to always have 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 wish to visit relatives and acquaintances admitted to residencestoo.
- Los workers of all these spaces they will maintain the habitual use of the mask.
- Not be mandatory for admitted patients in hospitals or people living in residences.
And at work, can you be forced to wear a mask?
According to the BOE, they are not mandatory at work, as long as it is not a health professional in a hospital, clinic or residence, as indicated in the previous question. “In the work environment, in general, the use of masks is not mandatory. Notwithstanding the foregoing, those responsible for occupational risk prevention, in accordance with the corresponding risk assessment of the job, they will be able to determine the appropriate preventive measures that must be implemented in the workplace or in certain spaces of the workplace, including the possible use of masks, if so derived from the aforementioned evaluation”.
This leaves it up to companies to consider when, how and why they could implement the use of face masks if there were situations in which it was needed to eliminate risks of transmission of respiratory diseases.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE USE OF A MASK: WHEN AND WHY
Out of the norm, you see the light in the BOE on February 8perhaps they will be added basic recommendationsin which appeal to a “responsible use of the mask”, as was done on past occasions. Above all, it insists on situations in which people are going through a respiratory infection process and the mask is an element to avoid contagion to the closest individuals and serve as a shield against transmissions.
- Poblacin vulnerable 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 celebrations when there is a person with a respiratory infection.
Why is the punctual use of the mask useful?
The Spanish Society of Epidemiology (SEE) has warned that “the mask continues to be highly recommended for the people with respiratory symptoms compatible with the covid-19, flu, cold, and other respiratory infections“.
In seasonal periods when there is known to be a large circulation of respiratory viruses that can be concentrated in closed spaces for public use in which people move like shops (shopping centers, supermarkets or small businesses); in closed spaces in which people spend time without eating or drinking (cinemas, theatres, concert halls, museums, etc.) and in closed spaces where people spend time eating and drinking (bars, restaurants, nightlife venues. ..).
WHEN DID THE MASKS START USED?
More than a thousand days have passed since it was published in the BOE, on May 20, 2020, the order that regulated the mandatory use of the mask. Since then, progressively in 2022, they have been withdrawn in some spaces.
First abroad: Royal Decree 115/2022, of February 8, gave the green light to leave the masks aside outdoors.
Later, in closed spaces: Royal Decree 286/2022, of April 19, eliminated the use of masks indoors, with the exceptions of public transport and sanitary and socio-sanitary spaces. This is the one that was still in force until today.
According to the criteria of
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