Kusai Kedri
Press TV, Barcelona Authorities in Catalonia have imposed an order to wear face coverings in public at all times as the region battles an uptake in the spread of the coronavirus. A new COVID-19 rule came into force in Catalonia Thursday mandating the use of a face covering in public spaces for everyone aged six and older, at all times and regardless of a previous clause that made it optional when a safety distance of 5 feet was maintained.

Catalonia's president Quim Torra Wednesday announced the law as he pushed against criticism of his government's handling of the recent outbreaks that spread in a nursing home and among seasonal workers in the farming sector west of the region.  The embattled regional president blamed the central government in Madrid for failing to legalise the seasonal workers, many of whom of undocumented immigrants whose poor living and working conditions made them prime targets of the disease.

COVID-19 wary residents seemed to acquiesce in the timeliness of the mask law.

The law exempts the wearing of the mask for people with breathing difficulties or for cyclists or joggers engaged in intense exercise provided they keep distancing and avoid pedestrians.  Some have voiced concern that text of the law leaves gaping flaws while others complain the 100 euros tickets in place for those who do not wear the mask will add to the economic distress of some people who can't even afford to buy masks.

While no one questions the validity of the impacts of wearing a mask on saving lives and protecting the vulnerable, critics say the new law in its current form sows uncertainty and confusion and it could lead to misconduct or abuse by those who are supposed to enforce it