Paris authorities on Saturday imposed the mandatory wearing of face masks outdoors in busy areas of the French capital from Monday as the number of coronavirus infections there rose.
The order applies to people aged 11 and over, said the Paris prefecture.
All the indicators show that since mid-July coronavirus has again begun circulating more actively, said the prefecture.
The rate of positive tests in the greater Paris region now stood at 2.4 per cent compared with a national average of 1.6 per cent, it added.
The zones where masks must be worn will be detailed separately, and evaluated on a regular basis, said the prefecture. They will include some densely populated areas in the capital’s lower-income suburbs.
After tough lockdown measures slowed infection rates, many European countries are now watching new clusters flare up after easing restrictions to try to limit the economic damage and alleviate public frustration.
France has made it compulsory to wear a face mask in closed public spaces such as shops and banks since July 21st. And Paris joins a growing list of cities ordering people to wear masks in busy zones outdoors, including Toulouse, Lille and Biarritz. – Reuters