Spain plans to keep masks on airplanes despite EU guideline changes

Despite the change in EU guidelines, that it is now no longer recommended to impose a mask mandate on airplanes, Spain’s health minister has no plans on changing the rule.

Although the EU may recommend Covid-related entry requirements for its member states, it is ultimately up to the individual countries to determine their own.

Carolina Darias, Spain’s health minister, has ruled out removing the use of masks on flights and public transport. The measure only applies when inside an aircraft, train, or bus, but not in the airport or train or bus stations.

In a press conference on Wednesday after the health council meeting with health ministers from across Spain, Darias explained that she views the EU’s new guideline on the matter to recommend aligning health measures on flights with other rules in the country. 

No plans to reintroduce quarantines

Additionally, Darias also explained that despite the slight rise in Covid-19 cases, there are currently no plans to bring back mandatory self-isolation periods for people positive for the coronavirus but with only light or no symptoms. 

The Spanish health department removed this measure in late March in a shift of policy toward normalizing the pandemic situation. Since March 28, there has been no obligation for the majority of the population to be tested for Covid-19 even if they have been a close contact of a positive case. 

At the time, it was explained that the measure will be implemented as long as the transmission rates are low. 

Pandemic situation in Catalonia

As of May 9, 2022, official figures, released daily on this website, state there have been 2,575,431 confirmed Covid-19 cases (PCR tests and others including antibody tests) in Catalonia.

The latest 14-day incidence rate per 100,000 population has been recorded at 352.62. This value has been increasing steadily over the past month, with April 7’s value standing at 225.33. 

The transmission rate is currently 1.19, whereas April 7 saw this figure stand at 0.68. 

There are currently 1,002 patients in hospital due to Covid-19 and 33 in ICU wards. The overall number of patients has increased, up from 810 in early April, but the number of patients requiring intensive care has decreased from 56.