FINES FOR PPE LITTERING TO BE DOUBLED

PARIS France is to fine people $205 for discarding protective plastic face masks and gloves amid concerns these could be infectious and that the epidemic has turned the French into “environmental delinquents.”

Currently, the fine for dropping any rubbish in public areas is about $100 but the French government has decided to double it due to concern over the rising tide of disposable protective equipment left in streets and in the countryside — posing a major infection risk.

The higher fines, which are due to be passed by decree “in the coming weeks,” can be increased to as much as $1,135 if police write a report and send it to a judge.

France was caught short at the start of the epidemic with low stocks of face masks but has since been inundated with protective equipment after ordering a billion from China and creating an “air bridge” to send it over.