Is the Spanish state finally going to say goodbye - or perhaps good riddance - to its remaining mask mandates? The Spanish health ministry has proposed to the different regions to remove the requirement to wear masks indoors from April 19th, that is, after Easter. However, the change would be applied with some conditions: apparently, the proposal is for masking to still be required in public transport, health spaces, social and health centres or in areas of health risk, such as crowded places. At school, though, you wouldn't have to wear it. This was announced by television network LaSexta, and the decision could become effective after being debated in next Tuesday's Spanish cabinet meeting. This would meet the demands of some Spanish autonomous communities who have already asked central government to abandon mask mandates.
One of the latter is Catalonia. The Catalan health department had earlier sent a letter to the Spanish ministry to reiterate its request to remove the requirement for mask use in indoors spaces open to the public, maintaining them in health and social care settings and also on public transport. But, although it strongly approves of the Madrid ministry's move, it is "critical" of the decision not to end mask use until after Easter. "There is no scientific basis to support the maintenance of indoor masks for longer," says the Catalan government statement, adding that "many European countries have already decommissioned indoor masks." In fact, the department under Josep Maria Argimon makes it clear in this text that "the step could have been taken weeks ago," starting in schools, and gradually, "to see the effect".
Where will masks still be required?
According to La Sexta, the use of the mask would still be mandatory on public transport, in hospitals, health centres and nursing homes. The setting of a date after Easter for removal of masks responds to some experts' concern about crowding in some areas over the Holy Week period in relation to religious celebrations.