Chile orders mandatory use of masks in means of transport

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Do the masks help contain the coronavirus? 1:53

(CNN Spanish) - This Monday the Chilean Ministry of Health announced a new measure to combat the coronavirus pandemic: mandatory use of face masks on public transport such as subways, trains, buses, and taxis.

The measure will take effect from this Wednesday, April 8 from 5am.

Sebastián Piñera's government declared a catastrophe in Chile due to coronavirus. Some have worn face masks in public places since mid-March, but as of April 8 their use is mandatory. (Credit: Marcelo Hernandez / Getty Images)

According to the latest figures provided by the authorities, there are currently 4,815 confirmed cases of covid-19 in Chile and 37 have died.

The announcement comes after the Health Minister, Jaime Mañalich, called on the population to start making their own masks with homemade materials, such as T-shirts, scarves and other genres.

coronavirus