Paris makes masks mandatory
Cases in France reach a post-lockdown peak with 21 departements classed as high-risk ‘red zones’
FACE masks will be compulsory outdoors throughout Paris as of today, after a post-lockdown record of more than 6,100 new infections in 24 hours.
The Paris authorities made masks mandatory in crowded central areas earlier this month and the rule is now being extended to the entire city, Jean Castex, the prime minister, announced.
Masks are now compulsory everywhere in Marseille, and in most indoor public areas. An average of 700 people a day are being fined €135 (£120) for failing to wear masks.
Mr Castex said the government was determined to get people back to work and children back to school without a second, economically catastrophic, national lockdown.
He added that contingency plans for nationwide or local lockdowns had been made, but urged people to help avert an economic shutdown by following the rules, maintaining social distancing and refraining from holding family gatherings. He said 21 of France’s 94 départements were now classified as high-risk “red zones”.
The numbers of French deaths and hospital admissions remain relatively low, with most of those infected under 40. Mr Castex said hospitals were better able to treat Covid-19 than in the spring, and part of the increase in new cases was due to ramped up testing.
But he cautioned that the R rate of transmission had reached an average of 1.4 nationwide, meaning that 10 Covid-positive people are likely to infect 14 others. “The risk is an exponential rise in the number of new cases,” he said. “Now is the time to intervene.”
Masks will be compulsory in many shared workplaces such as open-plan offices and factories from Tuesday.
They will also be required for schoolchildren from the age of 11, as well as teachers.
More than 12million French pupils are set to return to the classroom next week. Most have spent only a few days in school since March. Hand sanitiser will be provided in classes.
Meanwhile, the Spanish government has announced that all schoolchildren from the age of six will have to wear masks in class when schools reopen in September for the first time in six months. Pupils will have their temperatures checked each morning and will have to wash their hands at least five times a day.
The French government said it was aiming for nearly 100 per cent school attendance, with only pupils with health conditions that render them vulnerable allowed to stay away.
Spain’s government said it wanted most pupils to return to the classroom, but most of the country’s regions have backed away from a previous commitment to 100 per cent attendance, especially for secondary school pupils.
Both countries are prepared to close or quarantine classes if pupils test positive.
Germany is also set to impose tougher rules on face masks, with a €50 (£45) fine for failing to wear one.