In which Latin American countries is the mask mandatory and in which not

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(CNN Spanish) -

With the advance of vaccination, and despite the fact that covid-19 is far from being overcome, some countries have begun to relax the measures that served to combat the pandemic.

One of the first and most widespread is the use of masks, which generated controversy at the beginning but, finally, its use became widespread in times of coronavirus.

This Friday, the president of the government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, announced that from June 26 it will no longer be mandatory to use masks abroad.

The proposal will be studied next Thursday, June 24, in an extraordinary Council of Ministers.

Spain's decision adds to what is happening in the United States, where some states have begun to make the use of masks more flexible.

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They did so after the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced a new guideline in which they indicate that people fully vaccinated against covid-19 do not need wearing masks or practicing physical distancing indoors or outdoors, except under special circumstances.

But, what happens in Latin America?

The region continues to be one of the most affected and many of its countries maintain the obligation to wear masks, both in public and closed spaces.

The use of masks, country by country

• Argentina: since the end of March 2020, the government recommends the use of masks or chinstraps, although in some provinces and in the City of Buenos Aires it is mandatory for public and closed places with public access.

• Mexico: it is not mandatory for use in open spaces at the national level, although each state regulates it according to the epidemiological situation.

  For example, in Mexico City it is mandatory.

• Uruguay: the use of masks is not regulated by law at the national level, although it is mandatory in some private areas with public access.

  In Motevideo it is mandatory to use it on public transport. 

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• Chile: its use abroad is not compulsory, but it is in closed places.

• Brazil: Although the Senate had approved the use of masks by law on public roads, President Jair Bolsonaro vetoed the rule in July 2020 and its use is only a recommendation.

• Paraguay: it is mandatory in open places, whether they are public or private for public use, where there is no possibility of maintaining a minimum distance of two meters or crowds may be generated.

• Peru: the use of masks is mandatory outdoors.

  In addition, double protection should be used in enclosed spaces. 

• Bolivia: it is mandatory in public places where physical distance cannot be maintained.

  Each region can have other measures.

• Colombia: The use of masks is mandatory in public transport and crowded areas, as well as in public places.

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• Costa Rica: it is not required to wear masks outside, although it does in closed places with public access.

• Cuba: the use of the nasobuco, as the mask is known in that country, is mandatory by law on public roads and non-compliance carries serious fines.

• Ecuador: the use of the "mask" is regulated by law for public space. 

• El Salvador: it is mandatory by national law to wear masks on public roads since April 2020.

• Guatemala: the use of masks in open spaces is also mandatory for the entire population.

• Haiti: its use is mandatory in public space and when physical distancing cannot be maintained.

• Honduras: the government made the use of masks abroad mandatory for the entire population in April 2020.

• Nicaragua: it has never been mandatory.

  It is required in hospitals, banks and closed shops that establish it.

• Panama: in May of this year, the Government took new measures and ratified the mandatory use of masks in public spaces. 

• Dominican Republic: since April 2020 the use of masks is mandatory for the entire population in open spaces.

• Venezuela: it is mandatory in public spaces, as announced by President Nicolás Maduro.

Beyond the advancement of vaccination, the use of masks continues to be one of the most effective measures in the fight against covid-19, as established by the WHO.

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