This content was published on May 31, 2022 – 12:57
Havana, May 31 (EFE).- Cuba lives this Tuesday without the mandatory use of the mask (or nasobuco) for the first time in 26 months, after the Government’s announcement to lift that restriction due to the high rate of population vaccinated against covid-19.
Moved by custom, forgetfulness or protection, people were still seen on the street wearing this garment that has accompanied them since March 2020 when the country notified the first positive for SARS-Cov-2.
The measure announced the day before by the Minister of Public Health (MINSAP), José Ángel Portal, has received the pleasure of some who were waiting for it in the oppressive Cuban heat and the rejection of others who consider that it is too soon for it or they have simply accustomed to wearing masks.
The government, for its part, has called for caution. “Finally without masks, but not always or in all situations. I recommend that you see the adaptation of our protocols for this stage. An informed people is a protected people,” the country’s president, Miguel Díaz-Canel, wrote on Twitter.
For not wearing the mask -or nasobuco as they are called here- people could receive fines of between 2,000 and 3,000 Cuban pesos (from 80 to 100 dollars, at the official exchange rate of 24 CUP).
NO MASKS
Health authorities insist that the use of masks is a “personal decision”, so they recommend wearing it in spaces where many people gather or it is not possible to maintain physical distance.
It will be mandatory in medical consultations or in areas with restricted focus controls, according to the head of the MINSAP.
Likewise, the decision is maintained not to allow people with respiratory symptoms to enter work and student centers.
They also stressed that surveillance of acute respiratory infections will be maintained and recommends that vulnerable people continue to use masks as a protection measure, not only against covid-19.
The measure will be in force depending on the behavior of the epidemiological situation in the country and its effectiveness will be evaluated “periodically”, and readjustments may even be made.
LOW INCIDENCE
The Cuban authorities speak of a control of the pandemic and reflect a decrease in new cases and deaths from complications associated with covid-19.
Cuba registered 32 positives the day before, 192 active cases and no deaths, one of the lowest statistics reported since November 2020.
The health authorities consider that the control responds to the massive vaccination campaign with the local formulas Abdala, Soberana 02 and Soberana Plus).
89.9% of the population (of 11.2 million inhabitants) -more than 9.9 million people- completed the anticovid immunization scheme, with the Cuban vaccines Abdala, Soberana 02 and Soberana Plus.
This scenario led the government to relax other measures such as eliminating the requirement for a negative PCR test or the vaccination certificate for travelers who wish to enter the country and gradually restart face-to-face classes and services. EFE
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