July 20, 2020. This is the date on which the wearing of a mask was made compulsory in closed public places in France. All people aged 11 and over must wear this facial protection in public transport, supermarkets, pharmacies, hotels, religious establishments, banks or even in covered markets. The circulation spaces of the workplace are also affected by this obligation.
What about wearing a mask outdoors? In large cities, such as Strasbourg, Paris or Marseille, the French must wear a mask in the street, open markets or even parks. However, some municipalities or areas of certain agglomerations across the territory have escaped this obligation to wear this protection outdoors.
The obligation to wear the mask outdoors is limited to certain cities or areas
Antibes is one of those agglomerations where the wearing of a compulsory mask is limited only to certain perimeters. The people of this town don't need to wear this face shield on the waterfront. "When you are all alone in the street, it is not worth wearing the mask, you will not be penalized. But from the moment you enter the heart of the city, at that point you wear The mask", explained to France 3 Jean Leonetti, mayor of Antibes, on February 17th. He specified that he was calling for "the intelligence of citizens".
Another city where wearing a mask outdoors is not compulsory: Berric in the Morbihan department. This measure took effect on February 17. "We must reconcile freedom on the one hand and health measures on the other. And from a control point of view, in particular the judge, we cannot impose too harsh measures in a relatively unspoiled epidemic context with regard to other territories ", indicated to France 3 Arnaud Guinier, director of the prefect's cabinet.
In other municipalities, the reverse is true. To fight against the spread of Covid-19, in particular variants of the coronavirus, the prefecture of Pas-de-Calais and Nord has decided to extend the obligation to wear the mask outdoors to several municipalities in their department.
Why is it not compulsory to wear a mask in some cities in France?
Wearing a mask outdoors is not compulsory everywhere in France because this decision rests with the prefect of the department and the mayor. They can decide to impose it or not "in areas of active circulation of the virus. For example, on the street, at the market, in the park", specifies the website of the French administration. The decree of July 10, 2020 specifies that "the prefect of the department, on his own initiative or on a proposal from the mayor, may, depending on local circumstances, decide to make the wearing of a protective mask compulsory."
This measure is therefore taken on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the health situation. "In some less populated cities where delimiting the district from the city center is easy, the wearing of the mask cannot be imposed on the whole municipality", can we read on the Vie-Publique site.
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