‘We Can’t Live Like Zombies’: Protesters In Spain Decry COVID-19 Mask Mandate

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People holding placards and shouting slogans protesting during a demonstration against the mandatory use of face masks and other measures adopted by the Spanish government to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Marcos del Mazo/LightRocket via Getty Images

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Marcos del Mazo/LightRocket via Getty Images

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Spain Cracks Down On Outdoor Drinking, Smoking In Renewed Push Against COVID-19

Mandatory mask use — originally introduced in May for people using public transport — has since expanding to other activities. Last week, the government instituted a number of new measures aimed at halting the spread of the coronavirus – including a ban on outside drinking and smoking in areas where social distancing cannot easily be maintained.

Spain suffered one of the worst coronavirus outbreaks in Europe until the number of cases began to tail off in the spring. Since early July, however, there’s been a resurgence. Some 16,000 new confirmed cases have been recorded since Friday.

• face masks
• COVID-19
• Spain