The countries that have experienced a decrease in the numbers of infections and deaths from coronavirus -and see how the percentage of those vaccinated once morest COVID-19 increases- have decided to relax some measures such as confinements or curfews, but above all one that generates great demand in people: the use of the mask.
Each country, according to its health situation, has decided to eliminate the mandatory use of the mask either indoors or outdoors, moving away from the new normality that the world assumed due to the pandemic and little by little is approaching the old normality where moved more freely.
-Chile-
Chile, one of the countries with the strictest measures to contain COVID-19, ordered that the mask is no longer mandatory outdoors in 14 of its 16 regions.
Masks will be mandatory, however, in closed spaces and in any open space where a physical distance of more than one meter cannot be maintained, such as fairs or squares.
-Dominican Republic-
The president of the Dominican Republic, Luis Abinader, announced the elimination of all the restrictions that had been established by the pandemic, such as the use of masks and the vaccination card.
“All restrictive measures imposed by covid-19 are suspended”Abinader said in a public statement.
“Measures such as the use of the mask, the need to present the vaccination card to access all places or the restrictions in public spaces, today, are the individual responsibility of each and every one of us”, the ruler added.
-Argentina-
In Argentina, the use of masks is not mandatory since October 2021 in Argentina.
The city of Buenos Aires announced that the use of masks is no longer required in schools, public institutions and in open places, although in closed spaces and private companies it is at the discretion of the owners of the place.
-Paraguay-
The Government of Paraguay lifted the health emergency in force since March 2020 due to the pandemic, thus ending the mandatory use of the mask due to the decrease in infections and deaths from the virus.
The decision was announced at a press conference by the head of the Civil Cabinet, Hernán Huttemann, and the Minister of Health, Julio Borba, following a meeting held by several members of the Executive with the Paraguayan president, Mario Abdo Benítez.
Huttemann explained that, from now on, the law that established the mandatory use of the mask, whose validity depended on the continuity of the health emergency, “is without effect”.
-Spain-
The mask is no longer mandatory in Spain in most interior spaces, as is already the case in other European countries, following the Spanish Government today approved the end of its mandatory nature following almost two years.
As was the case in February when it was eliminated as an obligation on exteriors, the argument of the Executive chaired by the socialist Pedro Sánchez is that the situation continues to improve once morest the COVID-19 in the country, with the majority of the population vaccinated.
However, the mask will continue to be mandatory in health centers, nursing homes and public transport, and the recommendation to continue using it for cases such as crowds or for people more vulnerable to the virus is also maintained.
-Israel-
Israel will remove the obligation to wear a mask indoors starting this Saturday night due to the steady decline in cases in the country, which pioneered the vaccination campaign to reverse the pandemic.
The use of masks will remain mandatory in places with a high risk of infection, such as airplanes, hospitals and nursing homes, the Israeli Ministry of Health reported today.
The decision must be approved by the health committee of the Knesset (Israeli Parliament), a mere procedure following the measure has been agreed by Prime Minister Naftali Benet and Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz.
-Mexico-
The Government of Mexico City eliminated the recommendation to wear masks in open spaces due to good vaccination and infection figures.
The measure was also adopted in Nayarit, Coahuila and Nuevo León, where the use of face masks is no longer mandatory in open places, as long as there is social distancing.
-Netherlands-
The Dutch government announced on Tuesday that most health restrictions in the Netherlands will be lifted from February 25 due to a drop in hospitalizations and coronavirus infections.
The executive said that bars and restaurants will return to pre-pandemic opening hours, and announced the end of the obligation to wear a mask in most public places as well as social distancing rules.
“Face masks will only be mandatory on public transport and at the airport,” Kuipers said.
-Austria-
The use of masks in Austrian schools will no longer be mandatory next week, even for those who are not vaccinated once morest the virus. COVID-19announced the Government of the country.
The use of face masks, mandatory right now for those over 14 years of age in corridors, toilets and dining rooms, but not in classrooms, may be temporarily reimposed in schools or classes where positive cases are registered, explained the Minister of Education, the conservative Martin Polaschek.
The mask is still mandatory in Austria on public transport, in essential product stores, in banks, drug stores and pharmacies and in health centers or nursing homes.
-France-
On March 14, France lifted several restrictions to fight the pandemic, including the end of the mandatory use of masks indoors (companies, schools, public administrations and services, shops). The exceptions are public transport or medical centers.
-USA-
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) still recommend “that people continue to wear masks in related closed places such as public transportation.”
“We continue to encourage people to wear masks on public transportation, following CDC guidance. If the CDC changes their assessment, which they will at some point, we will follow their guidance.”US government spokeswoman Jen Psaki said.
The federal government had recently renewed this obligation to wear masks on public transportation until at least May 3, amid a resurgence of the coronavirus pandemic. COVID-19 caused by the omicron subvariant BA.2, but a federal judge in Florida invalidated its mandatory nature.
With information from AFP and EFE
