The use of masks is no longer mandatory in medical and senior care facilities.

According to the decree published in Diário da República, from this Tuesday the use of masks and visors is no longer mandatory in medical institutions and services, as well as in residential buildings or shelters for the elderly and vulnerable groups.

“While the use of masks remains an important measure to prevent transmission of SARS-CoV-2, especially in high-risk environments and populations, it is considered prudent to end the mandatory use of masks and visors in institutions and services and in residential or reception structures or home support services. for vulnerable populations, the elderly or people with disabilities, and in the integrated continuing care units of the National Integrated Continuing Care Network,” reads the diploma, which is effective this Tuesday.

The government justifies this decision “on the evolution of the epidemiological situation of the covid-19 disease, scientific knowledge, the effectiveness and high vaccination coverage achieved in Portugal, the level of knowledge of the population about public health measures, namely the use of a mask, respiratory etiquette, indoor ventilation and physical distancing ”, which allowed to reduce mortality and mortality, morbidity, impact on health services and resume economic and social activity.

Portugal, like other European countries, has already begun lifting most of its restrictive measures in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the government.

On the day the Diploma was approved by the Council of Ministers, the Ministry of Health indicated that the recommendation for the use of masks remains mainly in enclosed spaces or crowds, vulnerable people such as people with chronic diseases or in situations of reduced immunity with an increased risk of contracting covid -19.

“The use of the mask should be adapted to the individual clinical situation, namely situations of developmental or behavioral disorders, respiratory failure or other pathologies, through an individual assessment by the attending physician,” added a note from the Ministry.

The diploma, which “Defines the cessation of the mandatory use of masks and visors to access or stay in certain places within the framework of the covid-19 disease pandemic”, was approved by the Council of Ministers on April 6, unveiled last year. On Friday, the President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, and on Monday signed Prime Minister António Costa.

Covid-19 has caused over 26,000 deaths in Portugal with over 5.5 million infections.

Covid-19 is an infectious respiratory disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, a type of virus discovered three years ago in China and rapidly spreading around the world, taking on several variants and subvariants, some more contagious than others.