Regarding the recently announced measures on the health emergency and the de-escalation of non-pharmacological protocols in the country, such as the use of face masks, the Minister of Health and Social Protection, Fernando Ruiz, indicated news in this regard.
(Keep reading: Covid-19 vaccination card: what will change from May?)
In the first measure, He maintained that the decision has been made to eliminate the use of masks in open and closed spaces in schools, colleges and universities in the country as of May 15, 2022.
(Besides: In the world of vaccines there is a before and after covid-19)
The portfolio manager indicated that these measures are taken to support children in their learning processes. However, it should be clear that children remain at risk and the evidence indicates this.
(Of your interest: Unvaccinated people will be able to enter Colombia with a negative test)
In Colombia, since the start of the pandemic, 358 children have died, 549 children have been admitted to the ICU, and there are a total of 3,191 children hospitalized throughout this time.
“Faced with these data, The vaccination coverage that has been achieved, on average in Colombia, is relatively low. With one dose we have 63.9% and with two doses 42.1%”, detailed the minister.
Consequently, Ruiz Gómez maintained that parents, teachers and principals are expected to “encourage vaccination in children”, as well as the actors of the
health system that until May 15, when the measure ends, in conjunction with the education sector and the ICBF, they become operational in the country to achieve the necessary vaccination coverage.
“This is impacting the achievement in some cities and municipalities of Colombia to reach 70% of complete schemes,” the minister pointed out.
On the other hand, regarding the measure to eliminate the face mask in closed spaces that will take effect from May 1, the portfolio manager mentioned that “to support more municipalities that have the possibility of implementing the measures for the use of mask in closed spaces we have implemented an adjustment in these measures”, and maintained that There are, to date, 525 municipalities in Colombia that achieve 70% coverage with complete schemes and 205 municipalities that reach 40% reinforcements.
(Also read: Covid-19: these are the municipalities with coverage above 70%)
In accordance with the above, every municipality that reaches 70% of the population with
entire scheme can stop wearing the mask in open spaces. And when 40% of that 70% already have the reinforcement, you can stop wearing the mask in closed spaces. The exceptions are maintained in the hospital field, public transport and in a staggered manner in the educational field.
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