France now mandating masks at all workplaces

PARIS — France is now mandating masks in all workplaces, from the Paris business district to factories in the provinces, as it tries to contain growing virus infections but avoid shutting down the economy.

Tuesday’s announcement by the Labor Ministry makes France one of relatively few countries in the world that’s universally requiring workers to wear masks on the job, though they’re routinely worn in many Asian countries and increasingly required in public places beyond.

The move came after France’s daily infection count jumped past 3,000 over the weekend, for the first time since May, and as the number of coronavirus patients in hospitals, intensive care units and nursing homes is starting to inch up again.

France has among the highest infection rates in Europe, and already requires masks in public indoor spaces like restaurants and in many areas outdoors.

As of Sept. 1, masks will also be required in all shared, enclosed work spaces, including open-plan or shared offices, corridors, meeting rooms and changing rooms, according to the new government rules.

They can only be removed when someone is alone in an individual office.

“The latest scientific knowledge about the possible risk of transmission of the virus via aerosols leads us to adopt a general principle of the systematic wearing of masks in indoor, shared workspaces,” said Laurent Pietraszewski, secretary of state for worker health.

About a quarter of the 1,013 virus clusters that have emerged since France ended its strict virus lockdown in May were traced to workplaces, according to the national health agency.

Family vacation gatherings, dance parties and other summer events have also led to outbreaks.