BOGOTA (Reuters) – Colombia’s authorities will now not require the usage of face masks outdoors in areas the place greater than 70% of the inhabitants has been vaccinated in opposition to COVID-19, President Ivan Duque mentioned on Wednesday.
The transfer is an extra softening of measures adopted by the nation to curb the unfold of the coronavirus, in addition to an incentive for folks to get vaccinated.
Colombia is aiming to vaccinate not less than 80% of its 50 million inhabitants.
“Those municipalities with vaccination above 70% can elevate the usage of face masks in public areas,” Duque advised journalists.
More than 33 million folks have been absolutely vaccinated in Colombia, in line with the well being ministry, whereas over 8 million have obtained a booster shot.
Colombia has reported greater than 6 million coronavirus infections over the course of the pandemic with 138,285 COVID-19 deaths, in line with official numbers.
(Reporting by Luis Jaime Acosta; Writing by Oliver Griffin; Editing by Bill Berkrot)
