04/04/2020
Press Release No. 125, 2020
- The decision comes after a recent WHO statement.
- This measure does not eliminate hand washing or social distancing.
Bogotá, April 4, 2020. Following the current recommendation by the World Health Organization (WHO) of the use of face masks to combat the spread of covid-19, and considering the country's entry in the mitigation phase (in which anyone can be a carrier of the virus), the National Government informs the general population of the use of compulsory conventional masks in the following places:
- In the public transport system (buses, Transmilenio, taxis) and areas with a mass influx of people (market squares, supermarkets, banks, pharmacies, among others) where it is not possible to maintain a minimum distance of 1 meter.
- People with respiratory symptoms.
- Risk groups (adults over 70 years old, people with cardiovascular diseases, diseases that compromise their immune system, cancer, HIV, pregnant women and chronic respiratory diseases).
"People may use cloth face masks, which provide appropriate protection. It is important to reiterate that N95 respirators or high-efficiency masks will be exclusively used by health workers," said the Minister of Health and Social Protection, Fernando Ruiz.
People with confirmed diagnosis for covid-19 and their close contacts should not leave the place where they are carrying out their mandatory preventive isolation (14 days without exception).
The characteristics and recommendations for the use and quality of the mask to reduce the spread of the virus will be established.
Lastly, this measure is supplementary, and it does not eliminate the requirement of hand washing and keeping social distancing.
