The governor of São Paulo, João Doria (PSDB), said that the decision to drop the mandatory use of masks in closed places in the state was based on technical data from the scientific committee responsible for fighting Covid-19.
In an interview with CNN This Thursday (17), granted shortly after the publication of the decree that officially releases the use of the item in closed environments, the governor assured, however, that the state will maintain a structure of health equipment to support a possible new increase in cases of the disease, as has been happening in Europe and Asia.
In open spaces, the use of the item in São Paulo is no longer mandatory since March 9th.
“The decision was supported by the Health Committee. Fortunately, we had a drop in hospitalizations in the public and private hospital network, in the occupation of ICU beds [Unidade de Terapia Intensiva], a drop in the number of deaths, fortunately, and the extraordinary increase in vaccination”, Doria told anchor Daniela Lima. He added that the decision “is not political, economic or opinion polls”.
According to the toucan, about 99.25% of the eligible population in the state has already received at least the first dose of the immunizer against the coronavirus. He added that more than 103 million doses have already been applied in the state.
Doria also said that, despite the state decree, municipalities have the autonomy to determine the continuity of the mandatory use of the mask – whether in open or closed places. “[Mas] I have the feeling that the mayors will follow the same guidelines as the state government.”
Despite the release, the governor guaranteed that the vaccine passport -whether for events or for state employees- remains in force. Another mandatory requirement that remains valid is the use of a mask on public transport and in public or private health facilities.
Structure for possible new wave
The toucan, who leaves the government of São Paulo on April 2 to dedicate himself to the presidential campaign, guaranteed that the state will maintain a structure to withstand an eventual new wave of Covid, as has been happening in Europe and Asia.
“Today we have 7,800 Intensive Care Units in São Paulo. We had 3,500 in February 2020 and today we have 7,800 ICUs in São Paulo. All will remain in operation if there is a need to care not only for Covid victims, but also for other victims of any type of disease that requires hospitalization and ICU. So there won’t be any downsizing,” he said.
“We will keep the entire health system on alert, as well as our scientific committee so, if there is any change, any new variant, we can take the necessary measures. But there is, in fact, as the health committee said, no need for a caution that does not have scientific support to continue maintaining the mandatory use of a mask”, he concluded.
Source: CNN Brasil
