Paraguay today ended its state of health emergency due to the covid-19 pandemic, which has been in effect since March 2020, and abolished the mandatory use of masks even though less than half of its population is fully vaccinated.

The government spokesman announced that the decision was “based on the improvement of the epidemiological situation in which the country has been living for eleven weeks, with a decrease in the number of positive (cases), deceased people and intensive care unit admissions due to illness”. Guillermo. Just at a press conference.

Health Minister Julio Borba stated that despite repealing a law regulating the mandatory use of masks, the government will continue to recommend the mask.

“It is still necessary indoors and in hospitals. It is also recommended to be used in public transport and schools,” he said.

The law included sanctions such as fines, community work, or closure of workplaces for non-compliance with the mandatory use of masks.

In Paraguay, the healthcare system has been saturated by the covid-19 pandemic, and many families have had to sell their belongings and hold sweepstakes for their treatments. The South American country of seven million has recorded 18,734 deaths and 648,000 cases since the first coronavirus case was discovered in March 2020.