Madrid, Jul 5 (IANS): Spain's Council of Ministers has approved a royal decree ending the compulsory use of face masks in health centers, hospitals, socio-health facilties and pharmacies.

Masks were made mandatory in 2020 in the country with the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, reports Xinhua news agency.

Minister of Health Jose Minones confirmed at a press conference that the rule will come into force when it is published in the Official State Gazette (BOE) on Wednesday.

From then on, it will only be recommended to wear the masks in health centers, socio-health facilities and pharmacies.

"Today we close an episode caused by the pandemic that has wreaked havoc around the world. We emerge stronger from the health crisis and more than three years later we say, without lowering our guard, goodbye to the pandemic that has marked our lives," said Minones.

The Council of Ministers' agreement appeals to the "culture of responsibility", and considers reinforcing the use of masks in intensive care units, those with vulnerable patients, and in hospital and primary care emergencies, including the waiting room.

The ministry underlined that masks could still be obligatory in some healthcare areas such as with immunosuppressed patients, oncology areas, operating theatres or emergency rooms.