More than thirteen months after the rule that required wearing a mask in all public places came into force on May 21st last year, the 47 million Spaniards are finally allowed outside with their mouths uncovered. In the case of the Canary Islands, many have assumed the new normal with masks, and the "freedom" of not using them necessarily in the street, with caution.
One of the busiest places in the capital of Gran Canarias, Las Canteras beach walkway, woke up this morning, the first day of the new rule, with many beach users, both on the sand and strolling down the walkway, without a mask on but many chose to still wear one being aware of the latest epidemiological data which has forced Tenerife into Level 3 from today.
The royal decree that reforms the so-called 'new normal' law for the use of masks, reiterates that protection will continue to be mandatory in indoor public places, and outdoors if the safety distance of 1.5 metres can’t be kept, or if you are accompanied by non-cohabitants.
However, the rule is reversible. The Ministry of Health has made it clear that if the virus gains ground and data increases, the central government keeps the opportunity of re-imposing by decree-law that requires everyone to cover their mouths outdoors, regardless of the safety distance.
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In Tenerife, the authorities are asking people to be responsible to the situation the island is in, and still wear a mask as this will help speed up the reversal of data and reduce the amount of time the island is in Level 3.
The president of the Tenerife Cabildo, Pedro Martín, said that it would be "authentic frivolity" that on the island, taking into account the situation of the pandemic and increase in the spread of the virus, for people to walk through the streets without a mask, when “it is part of our daily life”.
They remind that the end of masks does not mean the end of the pandemic and that people are now starting to question the vaccines, which is ridiculous as it is common knowledge that herd immunity isn’t achieved until 70% of the population have been fully immunised.
