The mask, a vestige of the past? Not really, since Spain is bringing it out of the drawer. The government called, Friday, January 5, for the temporary return of masks in hospitals and health centers across the country. The cause: the outbreak of winter viruses, and in particular influenza, observed in recent days in Spain. Faced with the “notable increase in infections by respiratory viruses”, “we call” for the return of “compulsory masks in sanitary and socio-sanitary spaces” in the country, Minister of Health Monica Garcia declared on X. This measure had been repealed five months ago.
The minister, who mentioned public “hospitals” and “health centers”, where a large part of the consultations are carried out, indicated that she would address this subject during a meeting on Monday January 8 with representatives of the different Spanish regions. . During the pandemic, the Ministry of Health used decree laws to regulate the use of masks, but these measures are now in the hands of the regions. The central government therefore limits itself to coordination work. “The powers belong to the communities, but the responsibility also lies with this ministry,” added Monica Garcia.
This meeting will allow “to take coordinated public health actions in the face of these winter epidemic peaks”, she added, ensuring that the regions had “the competence” and therefore “the responsibility to implement appropriate measures” in front of this situation.
The Valencia region has imposed the wearing of masks for health professionals and patients in its hospitals and health centers from Friday January 5, in waiting rooms and consultation rooms of hospitals and socio-health centers such as nursing homes . In Catalonia, wearing a mask will become compulsory from Monday, and only health centers and hospitals are affected by the measure – and not pharmacies and nursing homes. In the latter, the authorities still recommend wearing a mask. In Murcia, masks have been required in health centers since Saturday January 6. In Aragon, it becomes essential for health professionals, but not for citizens.
1,501 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in Valencia
This decision was taken while doctors have been sounding the alarm for several days regarding the increase in cases of flu, but also of Covid-19 or other respiratory viruses, particularly in the eastern regions of the country. The Valencia region is one of those with the highest incidence of respiratory viruses in Spain, according to the latest epidemiological bulletin published on Thursday January 4 by the Carlos III Health Institute: 1,501 cases per 100,000 inhabitants during the last week of the year, compared to 952.9 national average.
Many professionals have been denouncing for days the situation of “saturation” in the centers and calling for the automation of short-term sick leave. In Catalonia, professionals expect a peak in cases of respiratory illnesses between Sunday and Monday, after Three Kings Day.
During the Covid pandemic, the obligation to wear a mask was very widely respected in Spain, a country traumatized by the first wave of the pandemic in spring 2020, during which one of the strictest confinements in the world was put in place. . The compulsory wearing of masks was only lifted in July 2023 in places likely to accommodate people at risk, such as hospitals, retirement homes or even pharmacies.
And elsewhere in Europe? The Savoie department has also reinstated the return of the mask to the hospital: it has once again become compulsory in the hospitals of Chambéry and Aix-les-Bains since December 13. In mid-December, experts from the Risk Assessment Group in Belgium met again to discuss possible new measures. Masks could also be reintroduced in hospitals, for example. In Italy, wearing a mask was compulsory in hospitals and healthcare establishments which welcome fragile patients until December 31, 2023. With regard to medical practices, the decision remains at the discretion of the doctor.