Pressing for personnalised approach, Formentera urges reconsidering of mandatory masks at beaches and outdoor areas

Consell de Formentera premiere Alejandra Ferrer has responded to yesterday’s announcement in the Spanish national gazette that masks would become mandatory in natural spaces. The island’s top-ranking official described the edict as “completely at odds with previous policies which recognised the authority of regional and municipal governments on Covid-19 restrictions”.

The chief cast the approach as “heavy-handed, at least in the case of a place like Formentera. A safe distance can usually be kept at beaches and natural spaces here and the risk of viral spread can be duly avoided”. “If the central government wants people’s buy-in the purpose of these measures needs to be clear”, she insisted. Previous rules didn’t require masks at beaches, open-air pools or outdoor spaces provided safe distancing measures could be practised.

Balearic first minister Francina Armengol is scheduled to take part in the Joint National Health Council (CISNS) today. President Ferrer urged her to advocate for a rethinking of the rule: “It needs to be reevaluated and adapted to each setting and situation, reflecting the characteristics of each place and the changing state of affairs in each municipality”.

31 March 2021
Communications Department
Consell de Formentera