After refusing to back down earlier in the week to scrapping the mandatory use of masks in public, the Minister of Health, Carolina Darias, has now confirmed that next week the use of masks outdoors in public spaces will no longer be mandatory in Spain. Along with the Canaries Government scrapping mandatory use of the Covid Certificate, is this beginning of the end?
On Tuesday, February 8th, the Council of Ministers will approve the Royal Decree that will eliminate its mandatory use outdoors, and the measure will be effective immediately after its publication in the BOE, which is expected to be the day after its approval, which is, on Wednesday, February 9th, according to Darias.
Just two days ago, the Minister of Health assured that the mandatory use of masks in public was a "temporary" measure and that their withdrawal was getting "closer".
Darias was trying to defend the use of the most symbolic restriction of the pandemic, and the one that generates the most controversy, due to after discrepancies with the different regions of the country in the Inter-territorial Health Council.
There are expected to be circumstances where it will still be required to wear one, especially in places where a large number of people are gathering closely, such as an outdoor sports or music event. However, this decree will mean that it won’t be necessary to wear one when walking down the street, along a promenade, or on the beach.
It will still be necessary indoors in commercial and cultural premises open to the public under the same conditions as now.
