The first decrees of Rodrigo Chaves as president 5:24
(CNN Spanish) --
This Wednesday the decree that eliminates the mandatory use of the mask came into force in Costa Rica, a decision of the new Government of Rodrigo Chaves that generates various reactions among health professionals and citizens.
The population is still attentive to the first measures of Chaves, who took office on May 8 and ordered the change.
The decree was published in the Official Gazette, a necessary requirement for its entry into force.
Hours earlier, in a statement, the Presidential House said that the publication had been delayed due to reactions to the announcement, "which included numerous speculations, misleading publications and even threats of criminal charges."
The strict use of the mask will only be for workers on the front line of public health care.
On Sunday, after the transfer of powers ceremony, the president announced that the use of the mask for the population was no longer mandatory, as well as the obligation to be vaccinated against covid-19.
Another provision rules out the dismissal of people in the public sector who refuse to be vaccinated against the coronavirus.
However, the decree on vaccination, contrary to what the president stated on Sunday, does not repeal the obligation established during the government of Carlos Alvarado and maintains compulsory vaccination against covid-19.
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At this point, the publication in the Official Newspaper La Gaceta says the following: "All public institutions of the State and the Costa Rican private sector are urged not to apply dismissal sanctions in the cases of officials who do not have the vaccination scheme. of covid-19″.
President of Costa Rica closed his last day in office to the rhythm of Cerati 1:30
Reactions in Costa Rica to the decree on masks
The general secretary of the National Nursing Union (SINAE AFINES), Lenin Hernández, said that it is the least opportune moment to neglect sanitary measures and lower our guard.
“In a respectful but vehement way, we request clarity in that decree from the Executive Branch, as well as the technical epidemiological report that supports the decision made by the President of the Republic to eliminate the mandatory use of the mask,” Hernández said.
Chaves said this Sunday after starting functions that "what the decree wants is to give Costa Ricans freedom and responsibility for their own health." He also added that he recommended people to put on the mask on the bus if that is the case. they feel it, especially those who have not been vaccinated three or four times."That's common sense, we ticos are smart people and the ticas more so," he said.
The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Costa Rica (CMCCR) also spoke after the announcement.
The president of this organization, Mauricio Guardia, said that they respected the government's decisions, but that at this time "they considered the decision to suspend the use of the mask a little premature", because "we are seeing a considerable increase in cases".
In a CNN tour of the vicinity of the Max Peralta Hospital in Cartago, most of the people consulted said they did not agree with the measure.
Rosemary Guzmán expressed that she was hypertensive and that "we have to take care of ourselves."
The same criteria are Johnny González and Johanna Redondo, who insisted that it is better to maintain the mandatory use of the mask for a while longer because the pandemic is not over.
Two other people consulted, who preferred not to give their names, expressed that it was necessary to try and one of them mentioned that he agreed that the decision to use it or not was individual.
The figures of the coronavirus
For its part, the Costa Rican Social Security Fund, through its press office, confirmed to CNN that the definition of sanitary measures is a responsibility of the Ministry of Health, so they are respectful of the framework for action.
He also said that as the institution responsible for the provision of health services "it will remain vigilant of hospital occupancy rates and the care of patients with covid-19 in its units."
According to the Ministry of Health, Costa Rica has accumulated 866,164 cases of covid-19, 16,037 active cases and 8,444 deaths since March 6, 2020, when the first person with the virus was detected in the country.
CNN asked the Presidential House Press Office what was the response to the concerns of the sectors about the lifting of the mandatory use of the mask, but we have not had a response.