According to the government Spain, this decision was made after assessing the current situation with COVID-19 and taking into account the epidemiological stability in the country.
At the same time, it is emphasized that masks remain mandatory for health workers, as well as visitors to medical institutions.
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“The government is canceling the obligation to wear masks on public transport, but it will remain in medical institutions and services, as well as for workers and visitors to welfare centers,” — The Spanish government said in a statement.
Compared to the previous year, the number of cases of coronavirus infection in Spain has decreased significantly. Data from the World Health Organization shows that about 11,426 new infections have been registered in Spain over the past seven days.
In terms of vaccination rates, the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reports that, as of January 26, 2023, a total of more than 112 million vaccine doses have been administered in Spain.
85.9% of the total of adults in Spain completed their primary vaccination, another 67.4% received their first booster and another 22.2% received a second booster.
Similar to Spain, Germany has also decided to eliminate the mandatory requirement to wear masks on public transport. Earlier this month, the German authorities announced that from February 2, 2023, masks will no longer be required on buses, as well as on long-distance trains.
Germany's decision to waive such a requirement was also made after considering the epidemiological situation and conclusion that everything is under control.
German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach welcomed the decision and stressed that the number of cases of coronavirus infection registered in the country was halved compared to December. Moreover, the official stressed that the number of hospitalizations has also decreased, that is, everything suggests that the need for masks no longer exists.
