Estepona is the latest municipality to bring in tougher rules on face masks amid a rise in flu cases.
The Costa del Sol town made them compulsory in care homes from December 16.
Health officials warn that acute respiratory infections, including influenza, Covid-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and other seasonal pathogens, remain one of the leading causes of winter illness and death.
Among the most vulnerable are older people, children, pregnant women and those with chronic or weakened immune systems.
Authorities stress that combined preventive measures, including vaccination, mask use, hand hygiene and proper ventilation, are key to slowing community transmission during the winter months.
Across Spain, several regions have recorded an earlier-than-usual rise in flu activity, with surveillance systems detecting increased circulation from week 40 of 2025, and epidemic thresholds being crossed between weeks 42 and 45.
The dominant strain this season is influenza A (H3N2), variant K, which experts say may be associated with reduced vaccine effectiveness.
In Andalucia, monitoring systems detected a steady increase in flu activity throughout November, with incidence rates rising evenly across provinces. While levels remain below the official epidemic threshold, the trend is upward.
When masks are mandatory
Under the latest Andalucia health order, mask use becomes compulsory in healthcare and social care settings, including care homes, when specific conditions are met – such as influenza outbreaks affecting more than 30% of residents. This threshold has now been reached in Estepona.
Masks may also be required in public and private hospitals that repeatedly enter Phase II or III of the High Demand Plan, particularly if infection rates in the local health district double the baseline level.
In less severe scenarios, mask use is strongly recommended for staff, patients and visitors, depending on daily risk assessments.
Measure in place until January
The order will remain in force until midnight on January 8, 2026, unless the Andalusian Health Ministry decides to amend or lift the requirement if epidemiological indicators improve.
The regional government has confirmed it will publish weekly surveillance updates to guide any future decisions.
