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“Very briefly, and after having consulted national and international experts, guidance will come out that when people abroad cannot guarantee the recommended physical distance for themselves or others, they should wear a mask,” he said. Graça Freitas.
During the usual press conference on the covid-19 pandemic, Graça Freitas was asked if the health authorities had changed their mind about the mandatory use of a mask abroad, with the arrival of the autumn-winter season.
The CEO, however, refused to consider that it would be a change of opinion, but rather an “evolutionary stance based on what risk assessment is being.”
“Outdoors, wearing masks will make sense if we really go to places where we cannot guarantee that we will be away from others. A different situation is outdoors in the field, in the garden, at times when other people are not walking. “He explained.
For these situations, in which the distance is easily ensured, the recommendation will be the same and the General Directorate of Health (DGS) continues to consider that the use of a mask is not necessary.
“If they are abroad, but away from other people, we will not make this recommendation, since people are free to use it at all times, because they feel better, to be able to do so,” he added.
Currently, the mask is only mandatory in closed closed spaces, such as commercial establishments, services or schools, and public transport.
In the same press conference, the DGS and the Ministry of Health were also asked about the possibility of implementing partial confinement in Portugal, similar to what is currently happening in Madrid, if it is confirmed that the country is indeed entering a second wave of the pandemic.
However, according to the Undersecretary of State and Health, António Lacerda Sales, this is not an option.
“Today we know more about the disease, today we are better prepared to respond and, therefore, the partial or general confinement is a public health response that we certainly do not want to unleash again,” he stressed.
This Monday Portugal counts eight more deaths related to covid-19 and 623 new cases of infection, according to the epidemiological bulletin of the General Directorate of Health (DGS).
