We clear up doubts about the new regulations on the use of masks in the workplace. Following the amendments made, Law 2/2021 on urgent measures to deal with the health crisis caused by COVID-19 remains in force. Specifically, paragraphs 1 and 2 of Article 6 are those updated by the new RD286/2022.
The necessary measures must continue to be adopted to avoid the generation of risks of spreading the COVID-19 disease.
New regulations on the use of masks in the workplace
In general, the use of masks in workplaces is not mandatory.
Mandatory use of masks in the workplace
However, it will be mandatory in the following cases:
Firstly, in health centers, services and establishments. Firstly, in health centers, services and establishments, both for workers, visitors and patients, with the exception of people admitted when they remain in their rooms.
Also, in health centers, workers and visitors, when they are in shared areas.
Finally, workers, also when used as passengers, in air, rail and bus transport, as well as in public passenger transport. In the enclosed spaces of ships and boats in which it is not possible to maintain the distance of 1.5 meters, except in cabins, when they are shared by groups of cohabitants.
However, in this case there is an exception. For people who have some kind of disease or respiratory difficulty that may be aggravated by the use of the mask. Or, due to their disability or dependence, they do not have the autonomy to remove it. And also if they present behavioral alterations that make its use unfeasible.
Recommendation for the use of the mask
The use of the mask is recommended exclusively in:
- Work in proximity to customers. That is to say, there is less than 1.5 m of separation. For example, hairdressing salons, beauty clinics, etc.
- Common areas, such as dining rooms, rest rooms, meeting rooms, etc. Where the interpersonal distance of 1.5 meters and proper ventilation cannot be respected.
- Traveling in shared vehicles…
In accordance with personal responsibility in complying with the measures to avoid contagion, especially to protect the most vulnerable colleagues, if any worker presents symptoms compatible with Covid-19 (runny nose, sore throat, headache, fever, cough, etc.), the use of a mask is mandatory.
The same measure, mandatory use of masks, will apply to close contacts of positive people.
