The Regional Government sent today about 12 thousand social masks to the islands of Santa Maria, Flores and Corvo. In this context, the parish councils of these islands will be responsible for their distribution to all households under the terms agreed with the Regional Delegation of the National Association of Parishes of Portugal - ANAFRE.
It should be recalled that the Regional Government had requested the collaboration of the Regional Delegation of ANAFRE to help parish councils distributing social masks to all households throughout the Region.
After having been distributed in the municipality of Nordeste, São Miguel Island, starting Tuesday, May 5, another 12 thousand social masks will reach the island of São Jorge.
The next stage of this process covers the islands of Faial, Pico and Terceira, followed by the island of Graciosa and the other municipalities of São Miguel Island.
This process of distributing social masks, whose use is mandatory in public transport as well as in establishments and public services, follows the announced schedule for the easing of restrictions in the Autonomous Region of the Azores.
The social masks sent by the Regional Government to different islands comply with the guidelines issued by the Directorate-General of Health and INFARMDED for this type of product, which requires manufacturers to observe the rules stipulated by these two entities.
With this measure, the Regional Government intends to ensure that each home in the Region has at least three social masks. The use of these masks does not entail any change to the rules on hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette as well as to the organisation and maintenance of the protection and prevention procedures adopted by public and private entities.
The Regional Government will analyse all proposals for the manufacturing of masks presented by any regional company, provided that they comply with the rules stipulated by the Directorate-General of Health and the National Authority of Medicines and Health Products - INFARMED for this type of product.