From March 28, there is no obligation to wear protective masks in public places (except for medical facilities and pharmacies). The Ministry of Health (MZ) warned that the resignation from the masks “is not forever” and – as deputy health minister Waldemar Kraska said – this method of protection against coronavirus infection may indeed come back soon. Who and when will have to wear masks?
- Deputy Minister Kraska ensures that the government has a plan prepared for the fall wave of COVID-19 cases
- When asked if any restrictions would come back, he said that “almost certainly” the obligation to wear protective masks would appear again
- However, it will not apply to all citizens, but only to selected groups. We explain which ones below
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The government has an “autumn plan”
Deputy Minister of Health Waldemar Kraska referred to the latest covid statistics on Polsat News. – There are 5964 new cases of coronavirus in Poland. This is an increase of about 5-5,5 percent. compared to last week – he said, adding that although we still see slight increases, the trend is downward in our neighbors. He suggested that it will also be coming to us soon.
At the same time, as he said, the government has already prepared a plan for the fall. There are several variants on the “table”, and the choice of the best one will be dictated by the current epidemiological situation. However, the deputy minister does not expect that COVID-19 will suddenly “give up”.
– It appears that an increase in new infections is inevitable in the fall. Now the only question is whether it will be the beginning of October or whether it will be in the long term. But there will definitely be a larger number, ‘he said.
The rest of the text below the video.
Who will have to wear face masks?
When asked about a return to covering the nose and mouth, as in Germany, he replied that it was more than likely.
— The obligation to wear face masks will almost certainly return in connection with the next wave of coronavirus. It is very possible that the obligation to cover the mouth and nose will be imposed on people from the sensitive group, i.e. over 60 years of age.
Let us recall that for this age group, vaccinations with the fourth dose (the second booster dose) are already available. People 60+ can register for vaccination from 22 July.
Expanding the group of people for whom a booster is available is a response to the latest research that says a significant reduction in the risk of severe course and death from COVID-19 in people over 50 years of age.
– The analysis of the American CDC, published on the basis of statistical data, is unequivocal and beyond doubt: people over 50 who have taken at least two boosters, i.e. a total of four doses, compared to unvaccinated people, have a 42 times lower risk deaths due to COVID-19 – explained the drug. Bartosz Fiałek, adding that although the study concerned the BA.1 and BA.2 sub-variants, “it does not seem that it was significantly different in the case of the BA.4 and BA.5 sub-variants”.
– This is a 99% reduction in the risk of death in these people. I do not associate such medical interventions, the use of which would allow us to reduce the end point, which is death due to the disease, by as much as 99%. – noted the expert.
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