Fabric mask mandatory use

Published Tuesday, June 23, 2020

Fabric mask mandatory use

By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

The Minister of Health Daniel Salas announced on Tuesday the mandatory use of fabric masks for people whose work requires contact with the public, as well as people in public zones.

This requirement is part of the plan of the new opening phase that could start next weekend, according to the minister.

Authorities are expected to provide more information on the new opening phase this week.

The obligation in the use of fabric masks begins June 27. The rules are as follows:

• For all people who attend the public in private companies or government institutions.

• In the case of a restaurant, it must be obligatory for the person who takes the order.

• For the general public, it is mandatory when in public or private modes of transportation, cinemas, theaters, churches, banks and restaurants. In the case of using a face mask in restaurants, the person must remove the mask while eating, the government said.

• All masks must cover the mouth and nose, according to the authorities.

This new precautionary measure is necessary due to the opening of public institutions, businesses and shops. The measure is also in place to keep people as safe as possible when in unavoidable crowded places. However, the use of a face mask does not replace other precautionary measures, such as social distancing and frequent hand washing, the ministry said in its statement.

"The pandemic requires us to adapt to new precautionary measures," Minister Salas said. "The mask has not been part of our lives before, but it is important today to adapt to its correct use: not to be manipulating it. Nose and mouth must be covered.”

Ministry specialists advise on the proper use of a face mask:

• Wash your hands before and after touching the mask.

• Be sure to use the correct side of the mask to protect the nose and mouth.

• Verify that there are no tears or holes in the mask.

• Cover your mouth and nose, leaving no gaps between your face and the mask.

• Avoid touching the mask while wearing it. If you do, wash your hands.

• Replace the mask with a new one as soon as it is wet.

• Surgical masks are not reusable.

• When removing the mask, remove it from behind, without touching the front and immediately dispose of it in a trash can with a top.

This recent mandatory mask rule is given due to the increase in covid-19 cases in the country

On Monday the ministry provided the following statistics of the evolution of the virus in the country:

• 64 new cases of patients infected with covid-19, bringing the total to 1,222 active cases.

• Ages ranging from a three-month-old baby to a 94-year-old person.

• Of the 2,277 people infected since March, 617 are foreigners. That is equal to 27% of the total of patients.

• 28 patients are being treated in public hospitals, where 24 are in recovery rooms and 4 have been reported in an Intensive Care Unit, ICU, with delicate health conditions. Most of the infected patients are quarantined in their homes.

• 1,043 coronavirus patients have fully recovered.

• 24,971 people have been ruled out.

• 35,625 medical covid-19 tests have been made.

• 12 deaths have been reported from patients infected with covid-19 since March, three women and nine men.

The updated number of total patients in each district can be reached at the National Distance Education University on its Covid-19 Map.

As of Monday night, the pandemic has killed 471,591 patients worldwide, according to recent statistics reported by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University.

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Should the government have immediately ordered the use of face masks since the virus was first detected in the country in March? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com