The Minister of Health, Luis Francisco Sucre, clarified on Monday, July 4 that the mandatory use of the mask, to prevent the spread of covid-19 , will still apply in medical facilities, public transport and for those who handle food.

The clarification came after the last July 1 the report to the Nation when President Cortizo said that as of next Monday, July 11, the use of masks will not be mandatory in open and closed places.

“In health facilities, public transport and for food handlers, the use of the mask is permanently mandatory,” Sucre explained to the media on Monday. "In offices, both public and private, it will already be by choice," he pointed out.

Asked about the case of schools and other closed places where there are crowds, Sucre explained that everyone who has problems with the immune system or suffers from a chronic disease is recommended to wear a mask. The same suggestion is made for people 55 and older.

Sucre stressed that in the rest of the closed places it is recommended to increase ventilation and added that the mask should also be used in nursing homes.

“Each school will be able to make the decision on how mandatory it will make the use of masks for their children. The more agglomeration and less distancing, our recommendations become stronger. We recommend that children wear their masks if biosafety standards cannot be met,” he stressed.