"Spain Reinstates Mandatory Face Masks Amid COVID Worries"

Spain reintroduces mandatory face masks in health facilities nationwide from 10 January due to a spike in COVID-19 and flu cases, with the Health Ministry giving local governments 48 hours to send over their proposals. Several Spanish regions, including Andalucia, opposed the mandate, while others suggested expanding it to pharmacies. Flu cases spiked 75% in the last week of 2023, leading to a 60% increase in hospitalizations, prompting the reintroduction of mask mandates in health facilities across the country.