The day was today, but apparently there is no time. The Council of Ministers was going to modify this morning the decree on the use of masks, freeing citizens from the obligation to wear it in health centers, pharmacies and nursing homes, among other spaces, but it is predictably delayed until the week that is coming (not much more, because the electoral campaign begins shortly).
The news was given yesterday by the Minister of Health, José Miñones, who from Santiago de Compostela explained that “it will not be tomorrow (for today) because it is not simply the part of the masks but it is a whole health crisis decree, which it has to be informed and it has to go through the corresponding administrative procedures,” he explained, despite the fact that last Friday it was taken for granted that the Council of Ministers would approve the withdrawal today.
Among the procedures was the consultation carried out that Friday afternoon with the Interterritorial Council of the National Health System, where all the autonomous communities were in favor of modifying the obligation to wear masks for that of a recommendation in the event that a person has symptoms of respiratory virus or for those with health problems. It will only be mandatory in those hospital spaces where there are immunocompromised patients, such as in oncology areas or ICUs, as was already mandatory before the pandemic.
Miñones recalled that until the Government modifies the decree, the use of this garment is mandatory throughout the hospital, in health centers, in pharmacies and in social and health centers (for workers and visitors). Although the reality is that its use, at least in pharmacies, has become more flexible and many customers no longer carry it. The minister believes that the announcement of its withdrawal will not take long, although what “we want is for it to be highly recommended” and “self-responsible” by users.
