Yesterday saw the obligatory use of masks in all health centres in Spain, including hospitals, medical centres and pharmacies, etc.

The decisions to impose the wearing of mascarillas was taken by the Central Government, given the increase in infection numbers for flu and Covid-19.

Furthermore, its use is ‘recommended’ in crowded, enclosed spaces.

The Central Government took this decision after failing to obtain a unanimous accord amongst regional governments at the Consejo Interterritorial del Sistema Nacional de Salud (CISNS), which was held on Monday.

The Board of Health for Andalucía headed by Catalina García, says that the Junta de Andalucía will accept this decision and that it has never been against the obligatory use of masks in hospitals, etc.

The Minister of Public Health for the Central Government, Mónica Garcia, said that obligatory mask use is important, but even more so are the vaccines.

According to the Minister, the vaccine rate continues to be low, standing at 55% of people of 60 and 63% for those aged 65 and 75% of people aged 85. It stands at only 41% of children.

Editorial comment: these surgical masks were on sale in Mercadona at only one euro a packet but they have disappeared from the shelves in some branches. Will the price go up now that they are obligatory and is this a rhetorical question?

(News/Noticias: Spain)