Its use will no longer be imperative in the subway, trains, buses or planes
It was one of the last measures to stop the covid-19 that was still in force in the neighboring country
Almost total return to normality in France. The French Minister of Health, Olivier Véran, announced this Wednesday the end of the compulsory nature of the mask in it public transport. It was one of the last measures to stop the covid-19 that was still in force in the neighboring country and will cease to be applied as of May 16.
“The epidemic situation has improved. The pandemic is not over yetbut the number of new daily diagnoses decreases and we consider that maintaining this obligation is no longer adapted to the current situation,” Véran assured at the press conference after the council of ministers.
Since mid-March, the French administration had removed most restrictions to combat the coronavirus, such as the requirement for a vaccination passport or the imperative use of the mask in stores or offices. The subway, buses, trains or planes, along with hospitals and medical centers, represented those few places where it continued to be mandatory in recent months.
Mandatory mask in hospitals
Starting next Monday, the mask will no longer be required on all these public transports. But will continue to recommend wearing it, as the minister recalled. The only places where it will continue to be required will be hospitals and other medical spaces. This announcement represents a return to almost normal life two years after the coronavirus shook Europe and the rest of the world. However, the requirement for health centers to have a covid-19 certificate (vaccinated people or those with a recent negative test) is maintained if they want to visit a sick relative. All those who contract the virus must also respect a week of isolation.
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With most restrictions lifted in mid-March, France saw a significant spike in infections early last month. That led to a peak of 150,000 daily positives. However, the authorities considered this wave, also related to the BA.2 subvariant of omicron, to have been overcome since mid-April. In recent weeks this improvement has been confirmed and, for example, this Tuesday 48,584 cases were registered and 117 deceased.
more than 80% of French people received at least two doses of the vaccine against covid-19, although 40% of those vaccinated did not inject the third dose. Since mid-March, those over 60 years of age can receive a fourth injection of the immunizing substance. Véran spoke this Wednesday about the possibility of promoting a new campaign starting next fall on a fifth dose for the elderly. But he did not give more details and indicated that this will depend on the evolution of the coronavirus and its new variants.