The order communicated by the Ministry of Health imposing the use of masks in primary care centers and hospitals, which applies from today, allows the autonomous communities to eliminate this obligation if they register a two-week decline in the epidemiological curve. of respiratory infections.
“The objective is to provide legal support to the autonomous communities while recognizing their uniqueness and their ability to adapt to their own epidemiological data,” explained the Minister of Health, Mónica García. “For this reason, the obligation may become a recommendation in those communities that present data on a decrease in the cumulative incidence of acute respiratory infections in the last two weeks,” she explained.
Thus, the mask will be mandatory in Spanish clinics and hospitals for at least the next two weeks. According to the autonomies, the ministry considers that it is “a fundamental tool in controlling the transmission of infectious diseases through the respiratory route.” “Its use by the sick person reduces the emission of secretions when breathing, speaking, shouting, coughing or sneezing. In addition, it constitutes a physical barrier for the recipient.”
Health has ruled out extending the measure outside health centers. In pharmacies, the mask is recommended, as well as in residential centers for the elderly and people with disabilities. “Although the universal use of masks is not recommended to care for the well-being of the elderly both physically and emotionally, it is considered necessary to take additional precautions to protect residents and avoid outbreaks, especially in situations of high circulation of respiratory viruses. like the one we are experiencing right now,” the order states.
Several territories (Catalonia, the Valencian Community, Murcia, Asturias, the Canary Islands and Aragon) have moved forward in applying this measure and others had established it as a recommendation.
After the meeting of the interterritorial council of the SNS held last Monday, the ministry has incorporated various proposals from the autonomies, in addition to the power for masks to go from obligation to recommendation with a two-week epidemiological decline.
One of these measures is to recommend the mask if you have symptoms of respiratory infection. Another is to disseminate information regarding the importance of hygiene measures and the need to "guarantee proper ventilation of interior spaces."
Likewise, the order proposes to encourage vaccination against flu and covid, a "fundamental measure to reduce the complications and severity of these infections, which is why its administration is recommended in all risk groups for which it is recommended, especially in a season of high incidence like the one we are experiencing".
According to Mónica García, these are "common sense" measures, "a minimum that has to be taken when facing an epidemic" to protect vulnerable people.
This minimum does not include the self-justification of sick leave, a measure adopted during the covid crisis and that the head of Health defends as a "measure that the healthcare world has been demanding for 15 years" to alleviate the bureaucratic work of workers. optional.
"Self-justifications for an absence in the workplace are already occurring," the minister reasoned: "You first communicate the illness to the company and then the doctor justifies it to you."
