The government of São Paulo decided this Thursday (2) to withdraw the mandatory use of protective masks in public transport in the state. The measure will come into force from this Friday (3), when a new decree will be published in the Official Gazette.
Mandatory had been resumed in November 2022, after high cases of Covid in the country.
On the morning of this Thursday (2nd), the Executive Committee of the state met to discuss the release after the end of the obligation at airports and planes determined by the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) on Wednesday (1st).
The City Hall of the capital reported that it will follow the government’s guidelines.
State management claims that the mask remains mandatory in health services across the state, whether public, private or philanthropic.
In addition, its use in public transport continues to be especially important for:
People over 65 years of age;
People with some immunodeficiency;
People with comorbidities;
People with respiratory symptoms.
In a note, the government stated that it monitors the evolution of the pandemic on a daily basis based on case and hospitalization indicators and that, so far, the data does not suggest a significant increase and that it puts the state’s public health system at risk.
“We recognize the importance of masks and their effectiveness, especially in the transmission of respiratory diseases. However, in view of the data presented by the Committee, it is safe at this time to remove the equipment without harming health services”, said the Secretary of State for Health, Eleuses Paiva.
