On April 20, 2022, the use of masks indoors was no longer mandatory, but, with exceptions, such as health and social health centers, including hospitals, health centers, pharmacies or nursing homes, as well as on public transport, although earlier this year we were also able to remove our masks on the metro and buses. Now, and after more than three years using a mask by obligation in different situations, the Interterritorial Council of the National Health System has approved the relaxation of its use in health centers, pharmacies and residences with 12 acting Health Councilors.
Last Friday, June 23, the Council decided “by consensus” that the obligation to wear the mask in health centers, pharmacies and residences becomes a recommendation. The Efe agency has reported that the obligation to wear a mask will only be maintained in hospital areas where there are critical and vulnerable patients, for example, in operating rooms, ICUs, or when in contact with immunosuppressed patients, so its widespread use ends. although it is especially recommended when a person presents symptoms of a respiratory infection.
The easing of this measure has coincided in the middle of the two electoral events of the year: the regional elections on May 28 –which means that, in practice, almost all the Health Ministers called are in office–, and the elections generals of next July 23, which has fueled the criticism of many for considering that the measure has been raised thinking more about the polls than about the health situation.
The obligation to wear a mask will only be maintained in hospital areas where there are critical and vulnerable patients, for example, in operating rooms, ICUs, or when in contact with immunocompromised patients.
He Minister of Health, José Manuel Miñones, explained a few days ago that this debate had to be addressed rigorously and seriously and that they were going to take into account the opinion of the experts to decide on the withdrawal process; that is, if it is done “in a prolonged way, definitively or in a staggered way”. However, the measure has not yet been approved, since this decision is the responsibility of the Council of Ministers and although in principle it was expected that it would be approved in the one that is celebrated today June 27, in the end it will not be like that, since José Manuel Miñones has affirmed that the definitive withdrawal of the mandatory nature of masks in health centers, hospitals, pharmacies and other social and health centers will not be dealt with in the Council of Ministers this Tuesday.
.
