Controversy over the mandatory use of masks for sunbathing on the beach

The legal services of the Government of the Canary Islands are studying if the regional regulation could prevail, by which people can remove the mask as long as they are sitting and there is a safe distance.

March 30 2021 (15:14 WEST)
Updated in March 30 2021 (18:45 WEST)
Las Cucharas Beach in Costa Teguise
Las Cucharas Beach in Costa Teguise

The new law published in the BOE that imposes the obligation to wear a mask in any public space, whether or not there is a safe distance, has generated controversy and doubts in the Canary Islands about its use on the beach. And it is that, while according to the state regulations it would be necessary to wear it even when sunbathing, there are jurists from the Government of the Canary Islands who believe that the regional regulations could prevail, which allows removing the mask on the beach as long as you remain in a space without moving and maintain a safe distance with non-cohabiting people.

This has been confirmed by the Ministry of Health, from where they have indicated that their legal services are studying "how to reconcile the national regulations with the Canarian regulations." They have also indicated that this issue is expected to be discussed this Wednesday in the Interterritorial Council.

Until now, the state regulations required the use of a mask outdoors only when the interpersonal distance was less than 1.5 meters, although in the Canary Islands its use was mandatory even if there was distance. However, in the case of beaches, the use of the mask was excluded during bathing and while remaining in a specific space, without moving, provided that the safety distance could be guaranteed.

Now, the law published this Monday in the BOE imposes the use of masks in any public space, regardless of the interpersonal distance that may exist, so this would require having to wear it on the beach, even if you are still sunbathing.

However, the Ministry of Health of the Government of the Canary Islands points out that the same law indicates that the measures contained therein are "in accordance with the indications of the health authorities" and that is why they believe that the regional regulations could continue to prevail.

A couple wearing masks walks along the beach of Costa Teguise during the coronavirus crisis
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