Date Published: 13/07/2020
ARCHIVED - 100 euro fine for not wearing a mask in Murcia region from now on
ARCHIVED ARTICLE This applies equally to businesses and workers as well as the general public
The president of the Murcian regional Government, Fernando López Miras, has confirmed that the use of a mask will be mandatory in any open or closed public space, regardless of whether or not social distancing is possible. The exceptions only apply during sporting activities in which wearing a mask restricts breathing, such as jogging, on beaches and in swimming pools,(in these latter two it is advisable not obligatory) as well as when consuming drinks or food in bars and restaurants.
It is obligatory to put your mask on when going to the toilet, entering or leaving a restaurant, or when not eating or drinking, ie when sitting chatting. Obviously the mask needs to be removed to put food in the mouth, but the intention of the order is that the mask be worn as much as possible to limit the risk of contagion.
"The mask must be worn at all times as a measure of protection for yourself and others," he said, explaining that the decision had been taken by the regional cabinet at an extraordinary meeting "in a worrying situation and a growing risk to the health of our fellow citizens.”
"The pandemic is still there and although the vast majority of Murcians understand it and act responsibly, others, unfortunately, have not been able to perceive the gravity of the situation," said the president. In addition, he insisted that "we must stop irresponsible behavior, unnecessary gatheringss and those without security measures", and recalled that "when someone has the slightest suspicion that they may be infected, what they should do immediately is isolate themselves, call the phone numbers provided for this and have no contact with anyone.”
During his speech, López Miras also stressed that "there is a lot at stake", and that "it would be absolutely unfair for the behavior of a few to force the Region of Murcia to go backwards, to close our doors, to confine ourselves", and he appealed "to the responsibility of all."
However, he also reminded the public that "we said that all possible decisions are on the table and it is in everyone's hands to prevent us from continuing to have to resort to decisions that no one likes", and stressed that "we will prioritise, as we have done since the first moment, almost six months ago, everyone's health as opposed to any other consideration " and “will restrict the size of gatherings in both public and private” .
The regional premier confessed that the two principal problems are private gatherings which in many cases are not respecting social distancing, and also people who should be be in quarantine having symptoms of covid, but are still going out in the full knowledge that they are contagious.
He admitted that there is a gap at the moment in the legal jurisdiction of enforcing quarantine, and that whilst the government can, and has, issued a confinement order for some of the illegal migrants arriving by small boat and testing positive for covid, that there is a lack of control at the moment to prevent people testing covid-positive from actually leaving their homes. At the moment infractions are only detected when those making phone calls from the regional health service to monitor the health of those quarantining at home find that the patient has left the house when they call.
The regional government is currently working on a decree which will lay down a structure of sanctions for specific offenses related to the pandemic and complying with the restrictions in place, which will establish specific offenses sanctioning for example, bars that exceed the maximum occupancy and create a crowded environment through to individuals who knowingly leave their home when they are contagious and should be in quarantine.
Failure to wear a mask will result in a 100 euro fine.