ARCHIVED - Murcianos cautious as facemask rules are relaxed throughout Spain

Spaniards find it hard to kick the mask-wearing habit as vaccination brings about a lifting of restrictions

Saturday 26^th June 2021 saw an important landmark in the battle against the Covid pandemic in Spain with the lifting of rules making it obligatory to wear facemasks outdoors in public, but in the Region of Murcia it seems that in general members of the public preferred to remain cautious and don their protective masks despite the early summer heat.

In a sense this illustrates how quickly people have become accustomed to wearing masks and come to view them as indispensable. Only a year ago, as Spain emerged from the initial lockdown after the first wave of coronavirus infection, there was an almost palpable sense of nervousness and anxiety throughout the country as the first tentative steps were taken towards a resumption of semi-normality at the start of the summer.

Now, though, with the vaccination campaign progressing rapidly and over half of the population having received at least one dose of the four vaccines currently being used in this country, there is an equally tangible sense of optimism, and in the Region of Murcia the strain on the SMS health service is less extreme than at any time since last July. According to data published on Saturday only 18 coronavirus patients were receiving hospital treatment and just 6 were in intensive care, and although the number of known active cases has risen in recent days it can definitely be said that the immunization campaign is beginning to show encouraging results.

Despite this, though, over the weekend there was great reluctance to forgo facemasks, and rather than carrying them in pockets or on the wrist, as is required in case social distancing becomes impossible at any time, most people continued to wear them over their mouths and noses. In some cases, those who took advantage of their new-found freedom to “do without” were even warned against doing so by other passers-by.

Just as many people found it hard to accept the need to wear masks a year ago, it seems that it will take time for them to do away with their protective equipment as the immunization program moves forward, but nonetheless the relaxation of the laws is a significant step in the gradual return to normality. The risk of infection has not been eliminated and the pandemic data will continue to be scrutinized minutely on a daily basis.

Facemask rules in Spain as of 26^th June

Citizens are still required to carry a mask at all times and to put it on in situations where social distancing of 1.5 metres becomes impossible to maintain.

Masks are also required at public events while standing but can be removed if seated and at least 1.5 metres away from other citizens.

On public transport such as buses, subways, air and rail transport, cable car or boats, masks must be worn.

Masks must be worn in social health centres and residences where the number of people fully vaccinated is under 80%: above this threshold masks are optional.

Masks must be worn in buildings including shops.

Some municipalities are still insisting that market-goers wear masks when shopping; this is the case in Águilas for example.