Pedro Sánchez (centre) outlines new Covid guidelines - December 22nd 2021
On Christmas Eve face masks will once again become compulsory outdoors as well as in shops, public transport, public buildings, restaurants, bars, etc.
After holding a virtual meeting with the heads of all of Spain's regional governments, president Pedro Sánchez confirmed that an extraordinary session of the Council of Ministers will be held tomorrow to pass the new legislation.
The measure was immediately met with widespread criticism. The presidents of Aragón and the Community of Madrid, Javier Lambán and Isabel Díaz Ayuso, openly objected to the measure which goes completely against Health Ministry reports that repeatedly insist that the vast majority of infections happen in enclosed spaces with poor ventilation and a high concentration of people, like bars or restaurants, which see no rule changes Sánchez in this latest round of updated legislation.
"Experience has shown us that, together with the vaccine, the use of masks is fundamental to flattening the curve of infection rates", said Sánchez insisting that he had "extensive support" amongst the regional presidents (alleging seven of them had asked him to reintroduce the rule over the past few days).
But the measure has its share of detractors. "We do not agree with making masks obligatory outside if social distancing can be maintained", argued Díaz Ayuso. "In the street, in town squares and out of doors in general the risk of infection without a mask is simply not the same as where there are crowds, or when people are inside, especially in poorly ventilated buildings", insisted Lambán.
Outside of the government, the obligation to wear masks was met with widespread criticism on social media where the hashtag "MascarillasEnLaCalleNo" (NoToMasksOutdoors) is already trending and generating thousands of comments criticising a measure that stops you walking down an empty street without a mask, but allows you to sit drinking, mask free, inside a crowded bar.
Sánchez explained that there would be exceptions to the new rule, like doing sport, working in the fields or walking in natural, open spaces at a prudent distance of more than 1.5 metres from the nearest person, but insisted that the measure was necessary over the coming days when so many people would be out on the streets doing their Christmas shopping, underlining that his intention was for it to be "temporary" and to be removed again "as soon as possible".
No general plan to restrict the number of people who can get together at Christmas was agreed, although several regional leaders, for example in Galicia, Andalusia, the Basque Country and Catalonia, expressed their intention to limit gatherings over the festive period, saying that masks and vaccinations were not enough.
On the other hand, Sánchez has no intention to stop the traditional Three Kings parades going ahead across the country, saying that with 90% of the population vaccinated "we are not in March 2020 or even at Christmas last year" and that the measures taken have already been shown reduce the chances of serious illness or hospitalisation.
Insisting on the importance and effectiveness of vaccination, the president outlined plans to use the armed forces to help get the remaining children vaccinated and the booster jab to everyone over the age of 40 as soon as possible. His aim is to have the booster administered to 80% of people aged between 60 and 69 before the end of the year, and to 80% of people aged 50 to 59 by January 24th. Those aged between 40 and 49 will have to wait until "the first week of March".
Lastly, Sánchez outlined three other decisions that have been taken over the past few days: the Ministry of Health has authorised the sale of professional antigen tests through pharmacies, in an attempt to combat the current shortage; vaccinated people no longer have to quarantine if they have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid; and, from February 1st the 'Covid passport' will expire if more than nine months have passed between the second dose and the booster.
