After canceling the Phase 3 reopening of businesses this past weekend due to the important increase in cases of Covid-19. The Minister of Health, Daniel Salas, stated during the press conference this Monday that the reopening is tentatively scheduled for the upcoming weekend and that at the same time the use of face masks will be mandatory in some services and commerce.

The legal instruction and guidelines will be published this week with the idea of making them effective as of Saturday, June 27, the use of face masks or shields will be required for all commercial workers who interact with the public (Retail stores etc). The general public will also be required to wear facial coverings in many circumstances including on public transport, in public offices, in theaters and churches, and at restaurants, except when eating.

Some businesses and institutions began demanding the use of face masks last week, for example, Banco Nacional is requiring clients to use face protection since this Monday, June 22 when visiting any of their branches.

“The pandemic forces us to take on new measures, in new ways, new tools. The face mask has been part of our lives in the past, but we must properly use them: we should not be manipulating it constantly, make sure it covers mouth and nose, and never feel that it substitutes in any way all other measures such as social distancing and necessary hygiene”, stated Minister Salas.

The Ministry is expected to publish more detailed guidelines regarding these requirements as well as an update on implementing Phase III of the reopening plan in the coming days, the measures and decisions will depend on the epidemiology analysis carried out.

As of this Monday, the number of total cases was 2277, out of which 1,043 people have already recovered. 28 people remain hospitalized, 4 of them in the intensive care unit with ages 27, 43,59, and 61.