MADRID, July 10 (Xinhua) -- Spain's Autonomous Community of Extremadura in the southwest on Friday followed the lead of Catalonia and the Balearic Islands by confirming that face masks will be obligatory in both closed spaces and outdoors even where a safe social distance can be maintained.
Jose Maria Vergeles, who is responsible for the region's health service, confirmed that the change in regulations comes into effect from 00:00 on Saturday.
Vergeles explained the decision was made due to four localized outbreaks of the coronavirus which had led to 35 new infections.
Despite insisting these outbreaks were under control, he highlighted that they happened in social situations where measures, such as wearing face masks and maintaining a safe distance, had not been observed.
"The relaxation of a few is a worry for the majority and could lead us going back to previous situations," he commented, adding the region needed to "act forcefully and with foresight...to continue progressing in the new normal, and not return," to a total or partial lockdown.
Other regional governments, such as Asturias in northern Spain and Murcia in the south of the country, have also indicated that they are considering making face masks compulsory in all situations. Enditem
