On the first day of the return of the mandatory use of masks in public transport in the city of São Paulo, adherence was large, but not integral. “I only found out now (that protection was required again)”, he told the CNN the editor Júlio Garcia. At the Consolação Metro Station, the sound system warned passengers about the rule at all times.
Masks were mandatory on public transport in São Paulo for more than two years, because of the pandemic. In September of that year, the measure was relaxed. But it lasted just over two months. The decision to return protection was to comply with the recommendation of the Management Council of the State Secretariat for Science, Research and Development in Health, which indicated its use in situations of higher risk of transmission and for people who are part of risk groups.
The guidance, which applies to the entire state and in all means of transport, aims to contain the advance of Covid-19 cases. On buses circulating through the central region of the capital of São Paulo, most passengers were already in accordance with the determination and were using face protection equipment.
In the last seven days (from 19 to 25/11), the state of São Paulo registered 15,246 new cases of the disease. In the previous seven days (between 12 and 18/11), there were 9,675 notifications. That is, an increase of 57.5%.
The growth of contamination reflected in hospitals. In two weeks, Covid-19 hospitalizations in infirmary beds grew by 156% in the state. The increase in Intensive Care Units (ICUs) was 97.5%.
With that, according to the State Department of Health, the occupancy rate of ICU beds is at 42%, while that of the wards is 40.2%.
In addition to facial protection, the Council also recommends providing antiviral treatments for people with mild and moderate cases of the disease and increasing vaccination coverage of the population. São Paulo currently has, according to the state government, 95% of the population vaccinated with at least one dose. For the 3rd dose, coverage is 73.8% and for the 4th dose, 67.4%.
Mandatory use of masks at airports and planes
It’s not just land transport. Since last Friday (25) masks are also being required at airports and on aircraft across the country. The measure comes to comply with a decision by the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa), which considered the current epidemiological scenario of Covid-19.
Since August, the use of face protection was optional. To justify the return of the requirement, the agency’s CEO, Antonio Barra Torres, also mentioned the proximity of the end of year festivities and school holidays.
Source: CNN Brasil
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