The State Government puts an end to the application of extraordinary measures caused by Covid-19 but recommends caution in environments where vulnerable people live.

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Use of face masks

The end of the compulsory wearing of masks is a reality from today in residential centres and centres for the elderly managed by the Institut Mallorquí d’Afers Socials (IMAS). This is the last hurdle caused by the arrival of the pandemic in March 2020.

Specifically, as of today, the universal use of masks in residences and centres for the elderly and people with disabilities is eliminated. However, additional precautions are advised if symptoms of the disease appear, whether in users, workers or family members, to avoid possible outbreaks. In these cases, it is recommended that the person with symptoms should take back the mask in shared spaces and that it should be used by staff when they have to attend to them.

With regard to the professionals who attend to users who are recovering from a hospital stay or who work in intensive care units in these centres, the protocols established by the Preventive Medicine and Occupational Risk Prevention Services will be followed, according to the assessment of each case.

The IMAS was one of the first administrations to adopt and apply protocols to contain the incidence of the coronavirus, such as limiting visits to users, taking hygienic hand washing and respiratory hygiene measures and training families, residents and workers to carry them out. This made it possible to end 2020 with one of the lowest mortality rates in Spain. In fact, between the months of March and December 2020, the death rate in public residences in Mallorca was 20% lower than in the same period of the previous year.

The lifting of the last of the general measures to prevent the contagion of Covid-19 has been finalised today after being published in the Official State Gazette (BOE) as decided at the meeting of the Council of Ministers. During the meeting, the Council declared the end of the health crisis caused by Covid-19, the cessation of the application of extraordinary measures and the monitoring of a series of recommendations aimed at citizens and health and work staff who are in direct contact with the most vulnerable sectors of society, such as, for example, the elderly, dependent people and those who live with a disability.