Spain Considersโฃ Reinstating Mask Mandates as Flu and COVID Cases โคsurge
Madrid, Spain – Several regions across Spain are moving to reinforce mask-wearing protocols in response to โฃa notable early surge in both influenza and COVID-19 cases, potentially impacting travellers. Health officialsโ are considering reinstating mandatory mask use in โฃspecific indoor settings, including hospitals, health centres,โ andโ potentially other crowdedโ public spaces like cinemas โand theatres. A final decision โon compulsory measures isโค expected on December 3rd.
Tehโฃ current wave is being driven by the โH3N2 influenza virus, which hasn’t โbeen prevalent in recent seasons, leading to concerns about reduced population immunity. This year’s flu epidemic is arriving four to seven weeks earlier than usual, adding pressure to the healthcare system.
Spain’sโ Minister of Health, Mรณnica Garcรญa, emphasized the commitment of regional communities to implement โคthe new measures, expressing hope for unifiedโ action prioritizing public health. She specifically urgedโค cooperation from all political parties.
Currently, a new order taking effect Monday in Andalusia will โ recommend mask use for allโ staff and users of both publicโค and private healthcareโ and social care facilities. โข Asturias, Castilla y Leรณn, โคthe Valencian Community, โand Galicia have also agreed upon new mask guidelines.โข
These guidelinesโ generally recommend that healthcare โขand social care professionals wear masks when interacting with vulnerable individuals, and that individuals experiencing flu-like symptoms wear masks when visitingโค health centres.
Minister Garcรญa stressed the importanceโฃ of responsible mask use for anyone with cold symptoms,stating,”You arrive at a health center,you put on your mask,you โขleave the health centre,you take it off,andโค thusโฃ you protect patients,you protect professionals,and you protect yourself.” She affirmed that in scenarios deemedโฃ “maximum risk,” where protocols dictate mandatory mask use – such as in hospitals, nursing homes, or for healthcare workers – she expects regional โauthorities to comply.
