Spain scraps outdoor masks but many choose to keep them on | ABS-CBN

ADVERTISEMENT

dpo-dps-seal
Welcome, Kapamilya! We use cookies to improve your browsing experience. Continuing to use this site means you agree to our use of cookies. Tell me more!

Overseas

Spain scraps outdoor masks but many choose to keep them on

Spain scraps outdoor masks but many choose to keep them on

Reuters

Clipboard

A man walks without face mask on a street, as Spain lifts the rule for people to wear masks outdoors, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in Ronda, Spain, February 10, 2022. Jon Nazca, Reuters
A man walks without face mask on a street, as Spain lifts the rule for people to wear masks outdoors, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in Ronda, Spain, February 10, 2022. Jon Nazca, Reuters

MADRID - Spain lifted a requirement to wear face masks outdoors on Thursday as COVID-19 infections continue to recede from record heights but some Spaniards, wary of contagion, chose to keep the face coverings on.

"With a mask I feel protected, especially when there's a lot of people around," said Julia de Isidro, 50, who works at Spain's National Library.

"I'm going to keep wearing them, but in spaces where there's little chance of catching anything I'll take it off," she told Reuters outside the library on Madrid's tree lined Recoletos avenue.

Like her, many others were sporting disposable masks while on the sidewalks of Madrid on Thursday morning.

ADVERTISEMENT

The national infection rate as measured over the preceding 14 days has halved in three weeks, falling to 1,692 cases on Wednesday from a peak of 3,397 cases per 100,000 on Jan. 17, prompting authorities across the country to ease restrictions.

Masks are still mandatory in enclosed spaces and on public transport but almost all regions have lifted requirements to show a COVID passport to enter bars and nightclubs.

Paul Latham, a 42-year-old Briton who has been living in Madrid for a year, was pleased to finally be able to leave his house without covering his face.

"It's great, it's nice to be able to live free again I suppose and not be constantly thinking about wearing a mask. I love it." (Reporting by Michael Gore; Writing by Nathan Allen; Editing by Frank Jack Daniel)

Watch more in iWantv or TFC.tv

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

It looks like you’re using an ad blocker

Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors. Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker on our website.

Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors. Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker on our website.