Following the publication of Royal Decree 286/2022, of 19 April, amending the mandatory wearing of face masks during the health crisis caused by covid-19, the obligation to wear a face mask in enclosed spaces of public use or open to the public shall cease to apply. Only 3 cases remain in which the face mask will remain mandatory: in health centres, services and establishments; in community health centres, and on public transport. Universities, therefore, are not among the cases in which the wearing of the face mask will continue to be mandatory and, consequently, becomes optional.

Thus, in the current context of the epidemic and immunity, in general, no UPF community member or person from outside UPF is required to wear a face mask. However, we would appeal to individual responsibility and continue to wear the mask responsibly in specific situations. To this end, the Office for the Prevention of Occupational Hazards and Health Promotion recommends wearing a face mask:

- In shared, enclosed university premises, both academic and administrative, where people remain for a long time, especially those in which the interpersonal safety distance of 1.5 metres cannot be kept, regardless of their ventilation characteristics and the presence or not of physical barriers such as methacrylate screens. These include lifts, toilets, classrooms, workshops and laboratories, the library, meeting rooms or auditoriums, for example.

- In events in which the mass influx or an agglomeration of people can be foreseen.

- By members of the university community who, according to the health system, are considered vulnerable to covid-19 (people over 60 years of age, the immunosuppressed, and pregnant women) in any situation in which they are in prolonged contact with other people at a distance of less than 1.5 metres.

- By persons presenting with symptoms compatible with covid-19 as well as for confirmed cases with mild or no symptoms who do not self-isolate, during the 10 days following the onset of symptoms or the date of diagnosis, respectively.

At the same time, the University will keep the collective organizational protective measures adopted in the context of the pandemic in place, as well as the general measures to enhance ventilation, hygiene and cleaning implemented throughout its buildings. They will continue in force until otherwise indicated.

Barcelona, April 21, 2022