If you want to escape the icy winter weather, there are a few things you should keep in mind while on vacation. Spain is reintroducing a mask requirement in some places.
Madrid – Corona and flu infections are rising again. Austria therefore reintroduced a measure. In some hospitals, stricter rules apply again. Now Spain is also following suit. The popular holiday destination on the Iberian Peninsula is partially introducing a mask requirement.
Corona and flu wave in Spain: “We have reached drastic numbers again”
The Spanish Ministry of Health reported an increase in flu infections, according to a recent report weekly report. An increase can be observed in all age groups. With regard to Corona, the incidences would fluctuate, but predominantly people aged 65 and over would be infected. Recently, virologist Stöhr also feared a “violent Corona winter” in Germany.
In the Canary Islands, cases of respiratory infections also rose by 41 percent in December, reported Tenerife News. “We have achieved drastic numbers again,” said the union. The archipelago is one of many regions in Spain that is reintroducing a mask requirement.
Protecting risk groups from corona and flu: Where masks are required again in Spain
The obligation to wear a mouth and nose cover takes effect from Wednesday (January 10th) and applies in all Spanish health facilities. This was reported by the state TV station RTVE on Monday evening (January 8), citing the Ministry of Health.
“We have thought for a long time about how we can protect patients and nursing staff from infection,” said Health Minister Mónica García. This is primarily intended to protect risk groups such as small children, older people and health workers. Given the increased numbers, hospital emergency rooms in some regions are under particular pressure.
Some regions had previously taken the initiative to introduce a mask requirement – such as Catalonia and Valencia. The rule also applies in Aragon, Murcia and Asturias. Consideration is also being given to extending the mask requirement to pharmacies. Initially, Health Minister Mónica García tried to convince all regions of this need. However, no agreement was reached.
The first areas of the holiday destination are requiring masks: Which regions are reluctant to do so?
In view of this, the introduction of the mask requirement is causing a patchwork in the holiday destination. Travelers could quickly lose track of things. Since this is not a state of emergency, the regions themselves can decide on health care. The mask requirement in the healthcare system was last abolished in Spain at the beginning of July last year when the Corona emergency was lifted.
The use of a mouth and nose cover is now only recommended in Mallorca and the neighboring islands. “It’s simply not necessary at the moment,” she quoted Mallorca newspaper the Balearic Minister of Health. “We recommend putting on the breathing mask if you have symptoms of a respiratory infection or come into contact with someone who is sick.”
It also remains a recommendation for the time being in the regions of Castile, León and Madrid. Signs in health centers should appeal to people's personal responsibility. According to the regional health minister, the peak of the flu wave in Cantabria has already passed and the situation is “not that alarming”, which is why there is no obligation to wear a mask here either.
Masks are once again required in holiday destinations: What travelers need to know
So what now applies to travelers? Depending on the holiday region, a mask must be worn in health centers – and if necessary also in pharmacies. But that should hardly reduce the travel experie
nce in Spain. Especially since the Balearic Islands, with the holiday island of Mallorca, which is popular with Germans, only makes one recommendation in this regard.
Corona numbers have also recently increased in Germany. This was confirmed by wastewater samples in December. However, according to the latest report from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), respiratory diseases have declined again. There is no need to fear a nationwide mask requirement here for the time being; only a few hospitals are relying on mouth and nose coverings. (kas/dpa)
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