The president of the Generalitat, Ximo Puig, has announced the end of the main existing health restrictions in the Valencian Community, starting this Tuesday, February 22.
This has been advanced after the meeting of the Interdepartmental Table for Prevention and Action against COVID-19, in which the removal of the main current restrictions has been agreed, except for the use of the mask indoors and when it is not possible to maintain the safety distance, and the prohibition of smoking on terraces.
Specifically, the head of the Consell has explained that the COVID passport requirement is declining in all establishments, except in residences and social centers to protect the most vulnerable population; as well as the limitation of a maximum of ten diners per table, and the separation of one and a half meters between the tables of the catering establishments.
Regarding the requirement to have a COVID passport to access residences and social centers, the president has indicated that he will request the Superior Court of Justice of the Valencian Community for authorization to maintain the measure from February 28, the date until which had been authorized.
During his speech, in which he was accompanied by the regional secretary for Public Health and the Public Health System, Isaura Navarro, Ximo Puig pointed out that after 700 days since the start of the pandemic, "a new time begins" in which "vaccine, mask and common sense" will be the three "great defenses for the new cycle".
Likewise, he has assured that special vigilance will be maintained on persistent COVID and its effects on mental health.
The president has insisted that the pandemic "is not over", for which he has pointed out the need to maintain caution in a new cycle of "post-pandemic reactivation". In this sense, he has referred to the beginning of a festival calendar in a "practical normality framework" that will favor "emotional recovery".
In the same way, he stressed that throughout the pandemic the Generalitat has adapted the measures approved to the needs of each moment, to fulfill the commitment "not to maintain the restrictions beyond what is necessary". For this reason, and given the "favorable" evolution of the pandemic, and the "substantial" progress in vaccination, the president has justified the removal of the restrictive measures.
Regarding vaccination, the head of the Consell has assessed that the COVID passport has led to the immunization of 91.000 people who had not been vaccinated. In addition, he recalled that the Valencian Community is above the Spanish average in all age groups, and almost 10 points above in pediatric vaccination, and has specified that 96,6% of people over 60 years of age and 94,5% of those over 70 already have the booster dose.
Finally, he has shown his gratitude for the help provided, during the last two years, by all the companies, self-employed people and workers; as well as for the "enormous effort" made by the 65.894 health professionals of the Valencian Community, and for the "union and responsibility" of the entire Valencian society.
