As of Monday, July 20, a decree makes it mandatory to wear a mask in enclosed spaces. Which places are affected? Which companies should apply it? We take stock.
From this Monday, July 20, wearing a mask will be compulsory in all enclosed public places for people over 11 years old. The Ministry of Health has just announced that in the event of non-compliance with the rules, the fine will be the same as that currently applied in public transport, ie 135 euros. Unannounced checks will be carried out to encourage the population to respect the rule.
Which places are affected?
All enclosed places open to the public, as the decree specifically lists:
- Hearing, conference, meeting, performance or multi-purpose rooms, including theaters and cinemas.
- Restaurants and drinking places
- Hotels and guesthouses;
- Games rooms;
- Educational, educational, training establishments, holiday centers, leisure centers without accommodation;
- Libraries, documentation centers;
- Religious establishments;
- Covered sports establishments;
- Museums;
- Outdoor establishments, ie swimming pools, sports centers, stadiums, ice rinks, racetracks;
- Marquees, tents and structures;
- Altitude hotel-restaurants;
- Floating establishments;
- Mountain huts.
- Bus and ferry stations as well as airports.
As of Monday, July 20, 2020, the following categories will be added:
- Sales stores, shopping centers;
- Administrations and banks;
- Covered markets have also been added.
The mask is already compulsory in all supermarkets.
In the other categories of establishments, it may, as now, be made compulsory by the operator.
In shops, from small shops to shopping centers, "a customer who does not want to put on a mask will not be able to enter", has already warned Jacques Creyssel, general delegate of the trade and distribution federation.
Are companies affected by this measure?
Those belonging to the categories in the list above are concerned only for the reception of the public within them.
Companies that do not welcome the public therefore do so on a case-by-case basis according to the occupational health rules relating to labor law. Many health standards have already been implemented by the government for businesses, to encourage telework, physical distance and hygiene measures. However, when these measures cannot be respected, wearing a mask is supposed to be compulsory.
Why is the mask considered necessary today?
Since the start of the health crisis, tools for monitoring the epidemic situation have been put in place. However, they "today reflect a slight, but still uncertain deterioration in the health situation." The rate of contamination started to rise again. In addition, scientists have alerted WHO to airborne contamination and the fact that it appears that contamination is common in closed environments even in the absence of direct projection. This contamination is not dominant compared to droplets or soiled hands, but has revived the wearing of the mask in a preventive manner.
For the mask to be effective, you should wash your hands before putting it on, do not touch it once put on and do not keep it for more than 4 hours.
Obviously these measures are not to be dissociated from those of physical distancing of one meter if possible between each person in transport
The price of surgical masks will remain set at 95 euro cents until January 10, 2021.
To find all the complete details, visit the government website.