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Date Published: 13/01/2026

Murcia extends mask mandate in healthcare settings for another two weeks

The Region of Murcia will keep facemasks compulsory in hospitals and health centres until January 28

Face masks will remain mandatory in hospitals, health centres and primary care emergency services across the Region of Murcia for another fortnight, running from January 15 to 28. The regional health authorities are set to announce the extension this Thursday January 15 in an order published in the Official Gazette of the Region of Murcia.

The compulsory use of face masks first came into effect on December 9 following a spike in acute respiratory infections and seasonal flu across the Region. The mandate was then extended at the end of December until January 14, and now it's being rolled over again.

Health Minister Juan José Pedreño stressed that these decisions have been made "always based on the criteria of the Epidemiology Service technicians to protect the population, especially the most vulnerable."

He added that "it is a measure that also allows us to anticipate the possible effects that the increase in acute respiratory infections could have on the healthcare system."

The latest Epidemiology report published today (January 13) shows that acute respiratory infections increased by 5% during the week of January 5-11 compared to the previous week. Breaking that down, bronchitis and bronchiolitis cases rose by 5%, but there was better news on other fronts with influenza dropping by 18.5% and Covid-19 falling by 33.3%.

"Although the increase in incidence is lower than in previous weeks, we consider it necessary that in health centres the use of masks continues to be made by professionals, patients and family members who visit or accompany them," the ministry stated.

The Health Department has reminded people that these infections spread mainly through direct contact with infected individuals or indirectly through contaminated objects and surfaces. That's why they're emphasising the importance of washing your hands frequently, which remains one of the best ways to stop germs spreading.

The order from the regional health department, now extended until January 28, also recommends wearing masks in social service centres and facilities that care for elderly or disabled people, including both residential and day centres.

Masks are also recommended in private health consultations where there's closer interaction between healthcare professionals and patients, and in health establishments like pharmacies.

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