What you need to know about the end of mandatory use of masks in SP

Governor João Doria (PSDB) announced, this Thursday (17), the end of the mandatory use of masks in closed environments in São Paulo. Protection, however, remains mandatory in some situations.

Understand more below:

Where does the mask remain mandatory?

Masks remain mandatory on trains, subways and public transport as a whole, in addition to their respective places of access, such as subway stations, for example. It also remains mandatory in establishments providing health services, such as hospitals.

Decree No. 66,575 releasing the use was published in an extra edition of the State’s Official Gazette this Thursday with immediate effect.

Why is the mask no longer mandatory in closed places?

The state government says that the release occurs due to consistent improvements in the epidemiological situation of São Paulo and by indication of the Scientific Committee of the Coronavirus of São Paulo. Also according to the state, the vaccination rate against Covid with two doses in São Paulo of 90% of the eligible population (over 5 years old) was taken into account.

The state states that it was also considered that, 14 days after Carnival, there is a maintenance in the improvement of epidemiological indicators and a drop, for the sixth week in a row, of hospitalizations in ICU beds and infirmary.

At my place of work, is the use no longer mandatory?

The use is no longer mandatory and becomes optional.

Individuals can continue to use and experts suggest that, especially in some places where individuals are closer to each other and with poor ventilation, use is still important.

Experts also point out the importance of using protection for people with compromised immunity.

What experts say about the end of mandatory indoors?

In general, experts say it’s still too early to remove the requirement unrestrictedly. Opposing opinions have been issued since Rio de Janeiro released the use, in the first week of March.

The chance of contamination by Covid in open environments is considerably small, which provides a basis for the fall in the obligation to use outdoors makes sense.

However, the chance of contamination is much greater indoors, especially if poorly ventilated. Therefore, experts have advocated that the release happen later, at a time when more children and adolescents are vaccinated and when a greater share of the population has taken the booster dose, seen as essential, considering that protection against Covid after vaccination decreases over time.

Experts argue that, especially in places such as health services, protection remains mandatory – as determined by the state government.

Some researchers also say it is necessary to observe the risk of the colder months that are approaching, when, regardless of Covid, cases of respiratory diseases usually increase, which are also preventable by the use of a mask.

In the state of São Paulo, 46.39% of the population took the booster dose, the highest number among the states. The general rate in the country is 33%, according to data from the consortium of press vehicles. About 68.4% of the adult population of the municipality has already taken the booster, according to data from the city hall.

Will the city of São Paulo also release the use of masks in closed places?

Yes, São Paulo City Hall said it will follow the state government’s decision

A decision by the Federal Supreme Court (STF) in 2020, however, guarantees the autonomy of federative entities in terms of decisions on protective measures against the pandemic. With this, other municipalities in São Paulo can decide whether to make the use of the item more flexible or maintain more restrictive rules.

And at airports?

Recently, Anvisa (National Health Surveillance Agency) reinforced that the use of masks against Covid remains mandatory at airports. According to the agency, the item must be used in controlled areas of airports, such as boarding areas and airplanes.

In other locations, local rules apply.

Which other places in Brazil have already overturned the mandatory use of masks in closed places?

At the beginning of the month, the Government of the State of Rio de Janeiro published a decree giving municipalities the decision to end the mandatory mask.

In the Federal District, face protection is also no longer mandatory in open and closed places, after a decree by Governor Ibaneis Rocha (MDB).

Mato Grosso do Sul and Santa Catarina are other states where closed areas are no longer mandatory.