Barcelona fans can now go one step further than just wearing the club shirt to show their support for the club during the coronavirus pandemic. The club has launched a range of protective masks with three different colours. The masks cost €18 (Dh72) each, and were greeted by a mixed reaction from social media users, some of whom questioned not just the cost but the club's move to monetise the health situation in Spain. Made locally in Catalonia, the masks use 100 per cent ecological cotton and fulfil all health requirements and regulations, according to the club website. "It is a hygiene mask for everyday use that is reusable and its protection against the transmission of Covid-19 is guaranteed to up to 40 washes with a recommended use of 8 hours between washes," it said. "With the use of masks to stop the spread of Covid-19 now obligatory in many countries, the club has wished to respond to the needs of fans and members who wish to show their identification with Barça via an official product of quality and that offers a high level of protection." New designs may be created depending on demand and public response, the club said. La Liga <a href="https://www.thenational.ae/sport/football/la-liga-to-resume-from-june-8-after-government-clearance-1.1023674">is set to resume from June 8</a> after three months of shutdown. Spain was one of the worst-hit by the outbreak, but the situation has improved. More than 235,000 cases and 26,000 deaths have been recorded in the country. "Spain has done what it needed to do and now new horizons can open for everyone," said Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Saturday. "The time has come to recover many of our daily activities. From June 8 La Liga will be able to return." The likes of <a href="https://www.thenational.ae/sport/football/lionel-messi-and-barcelona-step-up-training-after-la-liga-confirms-restart-date-in-pictures-1.1023989">Barcelona and Real Madrid have returned to training</a> in recent days. Madrid and Barcelona emerged from one of the world's strictest lockdowns, with parks and cafe terraces open for the first time in more than two months. It is not yet clear when fans will be allowed to attend matches again.
