The rule applies to anyone over six years old and is also recommended for children aged 3 to 5 according to the Ministry of Health order which was published in the Official State Gazette, BOE, on Wednesday.
People with breathing difficulties that could be aggravated by wearing a mask and those who are contraindicated for health or disability reasons, are exempt from the ruling.
People won't have to wear masks when they are eating and drinking or in circumstances in which there is a cause of force majeure or situation of need.
Masks of any type can be worn, but should be hygienic and cover the nose and mouth.
The Ministry of Health says the mandatory use of masks is justified, because they help to prevent the spread of coronavirus by blocking infected droplets, which “is very important when not it is possible to keep a safe distance."
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Dear Katy, do YOU actually know how to use a surgical mask? As if you did, you would know that the majority of people use them wrong and too long. A lot of people even re-use them, or put them on and off. Rub their noses under them, move them down to talk, eat or drink. Etc etc.
Peter, they should have been mandatory from the very beginning. It would almost certainly have resulted in far fewer infections and deaths. The reason they weren’t was because there wasn’t the supply. Fernando Simón admitted as much yesterday but it was pretty much general knowledge in any case. As for the ‘designer’ masks I think most of us could probably make our own to match those or even better.
Mark, not everyone who transmits the virus coughs or sneezes, many are asymptomatic and can pass the virus unbeknowingly. I wouldn’t want to use public transport or be in an enclosed space where others aren’t wearing a mask. I agree though that some people (not most) are not using the masks correctly.
As someone living in an asian country, me make a few observations; 1) Wherever you go right now in China, everyone is wearing masks. 2) Even pre-pandemic masks were very widely worn here. It is seen as a courtesy to work colleagues and your fellow citizens. 3) When flying back here, through Barcelona on 13 Mar, I estimated that only 1% of the non-Asia bound passengers were wearing masks as they moved around the airport, boardered transit buses, etc. It was shocking. This was despite what was already happening in Spain, Italy, Iran, etc. So, my advice is to wear the masks and do it without whingeing!
Total bollocks, lock me up, I won’t be wearing one, end of.
It’s as simple as this people. I usually come to Majorca 3-4 times a year. Until I am confident of visiting Majorca again, virus, aircraft safety, confinement, what to expect socially, eating out, bars...I might as well stay in Northern Europe close to the NHS as my Insurance don’t cover Covid-19.... whatever people would like in visiting Majorca is fine.... I have been doing so for the past 20 years or so, but I don’t want to visit Majorca or Spain in fact to be quarantined socially or within an establishment policed with my eyes looking over my shoulder
Yet another ridiculous measure from this government. On paper it may seem a good idea, but if you see how most people use and even re-use masks, this makes matters worse, not better. Why not make masks compulsory for people who cough or sneeze. That makes sense in reality (and also the reason why they do so much better in Asian countries).
Call me cynical, but seeing the photo of "designer" masks, is this the fashion industry lobbying the government, who are suckered in to saying masks are suddenly vital. I do not deny they have had their use, but after so many weeks where half the population has not worn them and had no adverse reaction, why suddenly is it critical? It appears 2 metre "social distancing" is not now regarded as achievable, so get up close and personal, but in a mask?????