The Canary Islands are enforcing new rules on COVID-19 face masks from tomorrow morning as part of a drive to contain the virus.
The popular tourist destination has become the latest autonomous community to bring in restrictions as cases of both Covid and the flu virus skyrocket.
From January 9, it will be mandatory for face masks to be used in hospitals, chemists, and health centres across all the Canary Islands.
In a statement, the Canary government said the restrictions would remain until the end of the peak: “With this measure, the Canary Islands add to other autonomous communities in which the mandatory mask in the health centres has already been decreed.
“Until now the use of a mask was a recommendation for use in all centres of the Canarian health service since mid-December and now becomes mandatory.
“The rule, which is transitory while the epidemic peak of flu and coronavirus infections lasts, will affect peripheral offices, health centres and public and private hospitals throughout the Canary Islands.”
They added that the purpose behind reintroducing masks was “to try to stop the infection chain” and to protect “health professionals and people who go to hospitals and the health centres of the archipelago to avoid them contracting some respiratory infection”.
They said the Canary Islands also “advocated to agree on a strategy for prevention of respiratory infections to avoid health tension situations in the next flu seasons”.
Health officials have added that anyone showing symptoms such as a cough, nasal secretions, throat pain, congestion, general discomfort or a fever should wear a mask when sharing a space with other people.
They also said people should avoid sharing towels, cutlery or glasses to avoid passing the viruses on.
While the Canary Islands are enforcing new rules on masks, other Spanish islands are refusing to follow their lead.
Officials on the Balearic Islands, including Ibiza and Mallorca, are refusing to reintroduce masks as they say infection numbers are the same as in 2023.
