Seven days ago, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador issued a decree that puts an end to the health emergency situation in Mexico. Consequently, in some educational institutions belonging to the Secretary of Public Education (SEP), it has been decided to dispense with the use of masks for preschool, primary and secondary students at the conclusion of the 2023 school calendar. However, during this third week of May, it has been announced that the use of face masks will be reintroduced due to a cause external to contagion.
In entities like Gentlemanthe Health Secretary, represented by Zorayda Robles, explained that once the declaration of a health emergency by the World Health Organization and the Government of Mexico has ended, changes will be gradually implemented in sanitary measures in schools. Specifically, she referred to the use of face masks, which will be optional for students in basic education schools. Those who wish to continue using it may do so voluntarily.
However, one state in Mexico has announced a mandatory reintroduction of face coverings for a reason unrelated to an increase in COVID cases. In this case, preschool, primary, and secondary students must use masks again during the third week of May, due to the problems caused by the intense fall of ash and the environmental contingency.
In which state does the mandatory use of face coverings for students return?
The mandatory use of face masks for students returns in some states.
The state of Puebla has restored the mandatory use of face masks in the classes of the Ministry of Public Education for primary and secondary students during the month of May. This decision is based on the high levels of contamination caused by the abundant fall of volcanic ash in the communities near the Popocatépetl volcano and in the city. The head of the state SEP, Isabel Merlo, has recommended the use of face masks for all students in face-to-face classes at educational institutions starting on Wednesday, May 17.
Despite the fact that the decision to suspend face-to-face classes has not yet been made, so as not to interrupt the remainder of the SEP’s 2023 school calendar for the month of May, he did propose that the mandatory face mask for students and teaching staff return, with the purpose of safeguarding well-being in the face of the alarming environmental contingency in the state. In addition, the cancellation of all outdoor activities for academic grades of preschool, primary and secondary schools, as well as higher levels, was taken as a preventive measure.
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The head of the SEP in Puebla explained that, in the particular case of schools located in the municipalities near the Popocatépetl volcano, such as Atlixco, San Nicolás de los Ranchos, Huaquechula and Paso de Cortés, a different protocol is carried out since They are more vulnerable if the volcanic alert traffic light turns red. She also called on parents to comply with the mandatory use of a mask for their children during face-to-face classes and not to get carried away by false information on social networks.
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