Where will masks still be obligatory or recommended after April 20th?

It was announced yesterday (Wednesday) by the Minister of Health, Carolina Darias, that the mandatory use of masks indoors will be lifted on Wednesday April 20^th after approval by the Council of Ministers on the 19^th and publication in the BOE. However, there are still circumstances where they will continue to be obligatory, or highly recommended, so what are they?

Darias confirmed this yesterday at the Interterritorial Council meeting in Toledo, saying: “In Spain we have been giving strategic responses at each stage of the pandemic as the situation has required it. Thanks to the very high levels of immunization that the population has, the epidemiological situation is currently favourable so we are able to take this step.”

She then went on to present the latest report called: 'Positioning of the Presentation of Alerts, Preparation and Response Plans on the use of masks in interior spaces', which highlights the places and situations where the use of masks will continue to be mandatory, and then other situations and places where their use will continue to be highly recommended for responsible use.

Continued mandatory use:
- Hospitals and Health Centres: Mandatory for workers and visitors, but only for people admitted when they are in shared spaces outside their room.

- Nursing homes: Only by workers and visitors, not by residents.

- Public transport: Buses, trains, taxis.

Recommended/responsible use:
- Responsible use: any situation for the vulnerable population when they have prolonged contact with people at a distance of less than 1.5 metres.

- Schools: Only for teachers in ‘vulnerable’ situations.

- Indoor spaces for public use: shops (including shopping centres and supermarkets); closed spaces where people spend time without eating or drinking (cinemas, theatres, concert halls and museums), and in closed spaces where people spend time eating and drinking (bars, restaurants and nightlife venues).

- In the workplace: in situations when social distancing of less than 1.5 metres and adequate ventilation of the space cannot be guaranteed.

- Parties and gatherings: Celebrations with family, friends, and private meetings.