Covid-19 cases increase in Spain, but restrictions are discarded 2:44
(CNN) -
The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, announced on Wednesday an “extraordinary council of ministers” on Thursday, in which he will approve the mandatory use of outdoor masks as of December 24.
Spain ended the requirements for outdoor masks in June, but the use of masks remains mandatory in crowded outdoor spaces and public indoor spaces.
The announcement of the reinstated restrictions reiterated the message published in a statement from the office of the Prime Minister of Spain on Wednesday.
At a press conference, Sánchez detailed some exceptions when it was not necessary to wear a mask outdoors, even when playing sports or when you are in large outdoor spaces with enough space for physical distancing.
Sánchez also highlighted the government's plan to "intensify the vaccination process" to guarantee the protection of people against the virus.
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“What we want to do is intensify the vaccination campaign.
The most important measure to face this phase of the pandemic is to intensify and accelerate the vaccination process, placing the emphasis on the third dose, ”said Sánchez.
"What science tells us is that (the third dose) protects against contagion and the severity of the disease," Sánchez added.
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Sánchez gave details about how the government hoped to speed up vaccinations, with the aim of vaccinating 80% of the population between 60 and 69 years old with a third dose before the end of the year.
Sánchez reminded everyone that Spain is in a much better position than last year, due to the availability and circulation of vaccines.
"We are not in March 2020, or Christmas 2020, because Spaniards have been massively vaccinated in the last 12 months.
Just one piece of information: a year ago we had no vaccinated citizens, today almost 38 million citizens are vaccinated, which means that 9 out of every ten people over 12 years of age are fully vaccinated, ”said Sánchez.
“They are formidable and extraordinary figures.
We are better prepared to face the pandemic, ”said Sánchez.
Sánchez was later asked why the Government of Spain chose to reinstall the masks in the open air, instead of taking other actions at the national level, such as limiting the capacity of bars and restaurants, to which the Sánchez said that regional governments they are in control of their jurisdictions, which means they "can make that choice."
The announcement of the latest measures from Spain comes when the country registered 60,041 new daily cases, which makes it the second consecutive day of record increase in cases in a single day, according to the latest data from the Spanish Ministry of Health.
With information from Al Goodman in Madrid and Duarte Mendonca in Cascais
Covid-19 masksPedro Sánchez
