- Title: Masks mandatory in Catalonia, except at the beach or when doing sports
- Date: 9th July 2020
- Summary: BARCELONA, SPAIN (JULY 9, 2020) (REUTERS) GROUP IN KAYAK CLASS IN SEA NOT WEARING MASKS (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) BARCELONA RESIDENT, MONTSERRAT, 66, SAYING: "The situation as it is and with the surges we have, it makes sense to wear one. Because you can't be sure, you can follow the regulations of two metres, 1.5 metres, in a narrow street. So I think it's logical." (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) BARCELONA RESIDENT, LEOPOLDO, 66, SAYING: "There are people that cannot wear them, but in general I think most people can wear them in proper manner." (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) DIEGO, 40, SAYING: "It goes against biology. I should be able to breath oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide. What I do here is that I recycle it all the time. Not everyone is affected the same way, some more, others less. Some don't realise, others are more aware of their bodies. It makes me feel dizzy, for example. I think it makes no sense to be asked to increment my immunity, asphyxiating my lungs. I don't think it's normal." MAN WALKING ON PROMENADE WITH NO FACE MASK MAN WEARING MASK PUSHING TROLLEY WOMAN WEARING MASK WALKING NEXT TO MAN HOLDING HIS MASK IN HIS HAND
- Embargoed: 23rd July 2020 14:35
- Keywords: Barcelona Catalonia Spain compulsary mask use coronavirus mandatory masks in Catalonia masks
- Location: BARCELONA, SPAIN
- City: BARCELONA, SPAIN
- Country: Spain
- Topics: Health/Medicine
- Reuters ID: LVA005CM39B9J
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: People in Catalonia were required to wear masks in public places at all times as of Thursday (July 9), becoming the first Spanish region to toughen a national directive mandating their use when in close proximity to others.
The order, issued on Wednesday (July 8), was announced by regional leader Quim Torra four days after more than 200,000 people in the Segria area, which includes the city of Lleida, were placed under a local lockdown following a series of coronavirus outbreaks there.
Spanish authorities last month made wearing masks compulsory indoors and outdoors in all circumstances under which 1.5 metres (5 ft) of social distancing could not be maintained, and until a coronavirus cure or vaccine is found.
Catalonia's regional leader Quim Torra's order removed the social distancing exception for Catalonia, making masks compulsory in all social situations. People at the beach and playing sports are exempt, as well as those that have medical reasons.
The tougher measure aims to stave off a "relaxation" in attitude towards the virus observed among some citizens, a regional spokesperson said.
The pandemic has hit Spain harder than most other European countries, causing more than 28,000 deaths and close to 270,000 infections, according to official data.
(Production: Albert Gea, Guillermo Martinez, Catherine Macdonald) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
- Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2020. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
- Usage Terms/Restrictions: None