Running and cycling in the era of coronavirus. Is a mask necessary?

In view of the increasing number of SARS-CoV-2 infections, in recent days the wearing of protective masks in public places has been made compulsory in our country. At first glance, this is devastating news for lovers of outdoor sports such as running, cycling or Nordic walking. But do they really have reasons to worry?

As of October 10, the whole of Poland is in the yellow zone. This means that every citizen is obliged to cover his nose and mouth in the open air. The only places where you are allowed to be without a mask are strictly in nature – forests, parks, mountains or beaches. The introduced regulations are aimed at stopping the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has definitely gained momentum in Poland.

There has therefore been a lot of doubt about the need to wear masks during physical activity, which for many is, after all, indispensable. Last week, the spokesman for the Ministry of Health, Wojciech Andrusiewicz, informed the naszosie.pl portal via text message that people practicing sports are not obliged to cover their nose and mouth during training. Amateur athletes could breathe a sigh of relief.

As it turned out, their joy was short-lived. Last Saturday, the regulation was made more precise by the head of the Ministry of Health, Adam Niedzielski, who spoke about it at a press conference. According to him, the restrictions also apply to people who practice running, cycling or any other outdoor sports in urban areas. Only professionals are exempt from wearing masks during training sessions.

This situation is certainly not ideal for amateurs of various sports. Of course, a protective mask does not make exercise easier, and for some it can even be a deterrent to exercise. Nevertheless, the end justifies the means, so we encourage you to comply with the introduced restrictions. Perhaps thanks to this we will soon have the opportunity to practice our favorite sport in normal conditions again.

Featured Image: Freepik