Spain’s Ministry of Health has announced that masks will be compulsory in Spanish hospitals and medical facilities from Wednesday this week due to a rise in respiratory illnesses.
The new left-wing minority coalition government is pushing ahead with the policy, although the majority of Spain’s 17 autonomous regions oppose it.
“We are talking about wearing a mask when you enter a health center and taking it off when you leave,” Health Minister Monica García told Cadena Ser Radio late Monday.
“I don’t see any drama there. It’s a basic, easy-to-understand first-line measure,” she continued.
Spain’s hospitals have recently come under tremendous strain due to an increase in cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), influenza and other respiratory illnesses.
Prime Minister García’s health ministry decided to introduce the measure after failing to reach agreement with local health authorities, who said the use of masks should be encouraged but not mandatory.
Local governments are in charge of medical care, but the central government can intervene if it deems it necessary.
Six regions have already introduced the measure, and masks have been commonly used on the streets, on public transport and in health centers in recent months.
Last July, Spain officially declared an end to the health crisis caused by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, stating that people no longer need to wear masks in health and care centers and pharmacies. Ta. Over the past two years, Spain has gradually phased out the requirement to wear masks, first in public places and then on public transport.
More than 14 million people have been infected with the coronavirus in the country, with about 120,000 deaths.
(Information provided by Associated Press)
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Published date: January 9, 2024 18:33:19 IST