The Funchal city government had long recommended that all residents of Madeira wear masks whenever it was not possible to guarantee the minimum recommended social distancing as a way to combat the transmission of the new coronavirus.
After the Government of the Republic took a position on the use of masks as a measure to combat the spread of COVID-19, making it mandatory, it was up to the Regional Government to regulate its application in the autonomous territory, making it mandatory between November 5th and December 5th, 2020, the regime of which we will now clarify in five brief questions.
1 - Where is the use of masks mandatory in the Autonomous Region of Madeira?
The use of masks is mandatory for access, circulation or stay in enclosed spaces, or public access areas and roads.
2 - When is wearing a mask mandatory?
In the Autonomous Region of Madeira, the use of a protective mask against COVID-19 is mandatory for all citizens when accessing, circulating in, or remaining in enclosed spaces, or public access areas and roads, whenever the physical distancing recommended by health authorities proves impractical.
It should be noted that, according to the exception indicated in point a) of the following paragraph, in the territory of the Autonomous Region of Madeira, Use is mandatory from the age of 6.. This is the major difference compared to the Republic's decree, which establishes mandatory use only from the age of 10.
3 – Who is exempt from using it?
The following are exempt from the mandatory use of face masks to protect against COVID-19 in the Autonomous Region of Madeira:
- Children up to five years of age;
- Disabled citizens (due to difficulty putting on/removing the mask without assistance);
- Citizens who are engaged in sports activities;
- Citizens who are frequenting beaches, bathing areas and complexes, and access points to the sea, with the exception of sanitary facilities where the use of a mask is mandatory;
- Citizens who are engaged in physical activity and/or leisure activities that involve physical exertion;
- Citizens who are engaged in recreational and sporting activities in forest areas and recommended pedestrian routes, while complying with social distancing rules.
4 – Which entities are responsible for overseeing the use of mask?
Enforcement of the mandatory mask-wearing requirement in the Autonomous Region of Madeira is the responsibility of the Security Forces (Public Security Police, National Republican Guard and Maritime Police) and the Regional Authority for Economic Activities.
5 – What approach can citizens expect from the enforcement authorities?
The Regional Decree primarily assigns to the supervisory authorities a role of raising awareness and educating the public about the importance of all citizens wearing masks when accessing, circulating in, or remaining in enclosed spaces, or public access areas and roads, whenever the physical distancing recommended by health authorities proves impractical.
In the event that awareness and education efforts fail, failure to comply with the obligation to wear a mask for access, circulation or stay in public spaces and roads, whenever the physical distancing recommended by health authorities proves impractical, constitutes an administrative offense punishable by a fine of between €100.00 and €500.00.