The production of about 60 thousand social masks for regional schools has been completed and their distribution to public schools in the Region has already begun.
 
The distribution began last week, with the sending of masks, via postal services, to schools on the islands of Santa Maria, São Jorge, Faial, Terceira, Pico, Graciosa, Flores and Corvo.

As for the island of São Miguel, the distribution is taking place this week.
 
The distribution of two reusable social masks for each student in middle school, junior high school and secondary school levels, teachers and other school staff is one of the measures adopted by the Regional Secretariat for Education for the safe start of the school year in all regional school establishments in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The use of social masks in schools covers students from middle school level onwards, thus complying with the guidelines defined by health authorities regarding the minimum age of students for the use of this type of personal protective equipment. 

With the availability of these approximately 60 thousand masks, certified by CITEVE - Technological Centre for Textile and Clothing Industry of Portugal, the Regional Government ensures that each members of the educational community - students, teachers and non-teaching staff - will have, at least, two reusable social masks at the beginning of the next school year, scheduled for September 15.