Laurence Dollimore
MADRID has banned health workers and teachers from speaking out about COVID-19 without prior permission from their bosses.
An internal statement released by regional leader Isabel Ayuso urged the affected workers to ‘never act on their own’ when talking to media outlets.
It says there must always be prior authorisation from the centre’s director when an interview or report request is made by a journalist.
The bosses will then decide ‘which workers can represent the institution in the best manner.’
The protocol, which was actually created in 2003, has been put back to work after a doctor spoke out from the Hospital Fuenlabrada on Cadena Ser radio a few days ago.
Local reports claim health professionals in the region are finding it more difficult to speak to the media, with some allegedly receiving warnings or threats from management.
The regulation aims to ‘promote a positive image’ and soften ‘any negative impact’ a situation may cause.
After an interview is sanctioned, according to the document, a follow-up must be performed to see how the information given was used and how it fared in the court of public opinion.
This will be the task of the communications manager of the institution, who will also choose the ‘right time and place’ for the interview.
If a journalist tries to contact a worker directly, that worker must ‘redirect’ them to the communications manager.
The statement from Ayuso concludes that any health centre ‘cannot be held responsible for or endorse statements made to the media outside of protocol.’
The statement from Ayuso concludes that any health centre ‘cannot be held responsible for or endorse statements made to the media outside of protocol.’
It comes as Madrid continues to be by far the hardest-hit region, with a coronavirus incidence rate nearing 800 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.
The national average is around 290 cases per 100,000 inhabitants as of Tuesday.
