The use of a mask abroad is no longer mandatory this Monday, 13 September, but the General Directorate of Health (DGS) recommends its use in some situations, such as crowds, when it is not possible to maintain physical distance and for vulnerable people.
This obligation lasted a total of 318 days, since the approval of the law, on October 28, 2020, in the midst of the covid-19 pandemic, and was successively renewed by Parliament, which will not happen now.
In guidance released today on the use of the mask, which is now optional outdoors and recommended in some situations, to prevent covid-19, the DGS advises its use "when the occurrence of population agglomerates is expected or whenever it is not possible to maintain the recommended physical distance'.
The DGS also recommends its use on the street by "most vulnerable people", namely "with chronic diseases or immunosuppression states with increased risk for severe covid-19", whenever "moving outside the place of residence or habitual stay".
In orientation, the DGS reiterates that the use of a mask "is an effective measure in preventing the transmission of SARS-CoV-2", stressing that, despite the end of the mandatory use abroad, the use of this mask "continues to be a important measure to contain the infection, especially in environments and populations with greater risk”.
The use of the mask will continue to be mandatory "in educational, teaching and nursery establishments", in "spaces and commercial and service provision establishments", in "public or public buildings", in "spectacle rooms, cinemas or similar", in "collective passenger transport" and "in workplaces, whenever physical distance is not possible".
The wearing of the mask will continue to be mandatory also in «residential establishments for the elderly (ERPI), units of the National Network of Continuous Integrated Care (RNCCI) and other structures and residential responses for children, young people and people with disabilities, applicants and beneficiaries for international protection and reception of victims of domestic violence and human trafficking”.
It is also mandatory to wear a mask by people «with SARS-CoV-2 infection or with symptoms suggestive» of the disease and by people considered «contact of a confirmed case of covid-19», except when they are alone «in their place. of insulation'.
The end of the mandatory use of masks in outdoor public spaces takes place on the day the last diploma approved by the parliament and promulgated by the President of the Republic expires, on June 11, for a period of 90 days, with the Assembly of the Republic not having proposed the its renewal.
In a hearing on Wednesday, in parliament, at the request of the PSD, on the obligatory nature of masks, the director-general of Health, Graça Freitas, pointed out as exceptions for the continued use of masks the playground in schools, as well as in clusters populations and at outdoor events.
“The indirect transmission of the virus is by accumulation of aerosols and obviously this route is much less efficient outdoors than indoors. In any case, the recommendation is that, in clusters and in special contexts, the mask should be used, said Graça Freitas at the hearing at the Occasional Committee for monitoring the application of response measures to the covid-19 disease pandemic. .
In the guidance released today, the DGS confirms that, "in the case of education and teaching establishments", the mask "is strongly recommended for children aged between 6 and 10 years, or for 1st cycle students, regardless of age" , as long as children "have 'trained in use' and use masks correctly" and "adult supervision is guaranteed", and their use is not recommended for children "aged 5 or under".
The Directorate-General for Health makes recommendations on the use of masks and it is up to the Assembly of the Republic to determine their mandatory use.
In turn, the Association of Public Health Physicians (ANMSP) defended the continued use of masks to prevent covid-19 and the flu in order to have a “more controlled” winter, allowing the NHS to resume the delay in care activity.
«The National Association of Public Health Physicians continues to suggest that, especially in this winter phase that we are about to enter, the mask continues to be personal protective equipment used by all or almost all so that we can protect ourselves, not only of covid-19, but also of the flu», defended the acting president of the ANMSP Gustavo Tato Borges, in statements to Lusa.
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