The islands of Faial, Pico and São Jorge have already received social masks, following the Regional Government's decision to ensure that each household has, at least, three of these masks in accordance with the plan to ease restrictions in the Region.
Under the scheduled lifting of restrictions announced by the Regional Government, the islands of Santa Maria, Flores and Corvo were the first to receive social masks, whose use is mandatory in public transport and as well as in public establishments and services, as well as the municipality of Nordeste on São Miguel Island.
Additionally, the schools on the islands of Santa Maria, Flores and Corvo, where face-to-face classes started this Monday, also made social masks available to students, teachers and non-teaching staff.
In the last few days and in compliance with the stipulated schedule, about 50 thousand masks have reached the islands of Faial, Pico and São Jorge. They are already being distributed to all households by parish councils, as agreed with the Regional Delegation of ANAFRE - National Association of Parish Councils for the entire Region.
From this week, the islands of Terceira and Graciosa will begin to receive a total of 83 thousand social masks, while on the island of São Miguel, the distribution of masks in the municipalities of Ponta Delgada, Lagoa, Vila Franca do Campo, Povoação and Ribeira Grande is expected to begin next weekend.
It should be recalled that the Regional Government had requested the cooperation of the Regional Delegation of the National Association of Parish Councils (ANAFRE) in the distribution of social masks to all households in the Region.
The social masks distributed by the Regional Government are certified by CITEVE - National Technological Centre for Textile and Clothing, thus complying with the guidelines issued for this type of product.
With this measure, the Regional Government intends to ensure that each home in the Region has at least three social masks. The wearing 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.