End of the mask: removal indoors, when outdoors?

[Mis à jour le 21 février 2022 à 17h07] The students of zone B, back in class this Monday, February 21, are no longer obliged to wear the mask in the playground. When will we finally be able to remove the mask inside? Everywhere ? Every day, the government says a little more. The earliest confirmed date is February 28. From that day on, wearing the mask will no longer be mandatory inside in the places where to show vaccination pass. Concretely, no more masks therefore in restaurants, cinemas, theaters, museums, libraries… A complete lifting in all places is envisaged according to the words of Olivier Véran on February 16 on France Info “mid-March”. Including therefore in transport. “Mid-March corresponds to the crossroads of three parameters : from hospitals in normal working order, virus that circulates but very weakly, and enough decrease compared to February 28, date on which we can remove the masks where there is the pass, so that we can then remove mask indoorsand delete the vaccination pass with the possibility of keeping it in certain risky situations” specified the Minister on February 17 during a trip to Nice. Improvement in the hospital implies “an estimated routine rhythm between 1,000 and 2,000 Covid patients in intensive care”. At school, the protocol will be relaxed when the February holidays return, confirmed the Ministry of Education. Concretely, the children will no longer have to put on a mask outside in the playground. Reminders of the instructions in force for wearing a mask.

What are the conditions for the end of the mask inside?

The lifting of the obligation to put a mask inside could occur “mid-March” announced Olivier Véran on February 16 on France Info. But under what conditions? “Mid-March corresponds to the crossroads of three parameters : from hospitals in normal working order, virus that circulates but very weakly, and enough decrease compared to February 28, date on which we can remove the masks where there is the pass, so that we can then remove mask indoorsand delete the vaccination pass with the possibility of keeping it in certain risky situations” specified the Minister on February 17 during a trip to Nice. Improvement in the hospital implies “an estimated routine rhythm between 1,000 and 2,000 Covid patients in intensive care”.

In which places can we remove the mask from February 28?

From Monday February 28, 2022, wearing a mask is no longer compulsory, indoors, in closed places subject to the vaccination pass, i.e.:

• theaters,
• concert halls,
• sports halls,
• game rooms,
• libraries and documentation centers,
• cinemas
• bars and restaurants
• fairs and trade shows
• professional seminars

Its port will nevertheless be maintained in transport and closed places not subject to the vaccination pass.

Is the end of the corporate mask scheduled for mid-March?

Wearing a mask (in category 1 or surgical fabric) has been compulsory since September 1 2020 everywhere in business, whether public or private. On February 16, Olivier Véran spoke about the end of the mask everywhere from mid-March if the sanitary conditions allow it – in particular at the hospital where the minister has fixed the niche of 1000 to 2000 Covid patients in intensive care no more. The the end of wearing a mask in business could thus occur in mid-March. And it still is today in the following places:

• open space
• meeting room
• circulation space
• collective catering place
• locker room, etc.

They cover both the nose, mouth and chin. Exceptions to wearing a mask are:

• Employees with a individual office are not required to wear a mask when they are there alone.
• Wearing a mask outdoors is not systematic.
• From employees working in the workshop and required to perform physical exertion more intense than average may be exempted from wearing a mask if: the ventilation and aeration conditions comply with the regulations; the number of people present in the work area is limited and they are spaced at least two meters apart; all employees wear a protective visor.

The following masks can be used:

• surgical type mask
• general public mask providing filtration greater than 90%said to be category 1.

Until when is the mask compulsory at school?

The health protocol will go from level 3 to level 2 in the first degree for the whole of the metropolitan territory upon the return of the winter holidays in each zone:

• February 21, 2022 for zone B
• February 28, 2022 for zone A
• March 7, 2022 for zone C

This simplification of the protocol marks the end of the obligation to wear a mask outdoors for elementary school students and staff. On the other hand, wearing a mask in indoor spaces remains, at this stage, required in enclosed spaces for staff and students aged six and over. According to health protocol established by the National Education for the start of the 2021-2022 school year, when required, the mask must provide filtration greater than 90% (“general public” mask formerly falling under category 1 Where surgical mask for example). “He is up to parents to provide masks for their children. The ministry provides each school, college and high school with “general public” masks so that they can be provided to students who do not have them. recalls the National Education on its site. For the students with pathologies making them vulnerable to the risk of developing a serious form of COVID-19 infection, the referring doctor determines the conditions for their continued presence in the school or educational establishment.

Is the mask still compulsory outdoors, in France, in the street?

Wearing a mask is not no longer compulsory outside France since February 2, 2022. Wearing a mask is still recommended in the event of a group of people with a high density.

Is the mask compulsory in Paris?

Wearing a mask is no longer mandatory in the streets of Paris since February 2, 2022. It remains obligatory in closed places (public transport, closed spaces, train stations, shopping centres, museums, cinemas, performance halls, etc.). However, from February 28, wearing a mask will no longer be compulsory indoors in closed places where the vaccination pass is required. In view of the favorable evolution of the health situation, the Ministry of Solidarity and Health has indeed seized the High Council for Public Health to assess the possibility of changing the health protocol.

In which public places is the mask compulsory?

Until February 28, wearing a mask is compulsory in the following places.

• All establishments open to the public: shops, shopping centres, museums, libraries, cinemas, performance halls, conference rooms, etc.;
• Bars, cafes and restaurants while travelling;
• Hotels and accommodation establishments when travelling;
• Covered markets;
• Sports complexes and establishments covered when travelling. Wearing a mask is not compulsory for the practice of sports activities;
• Outdoor establishments, tents;
• Public services, administrations, banks, post offices;
• Places of worship

The decree of December 31, 2021 indicates that access to these spaces will be “denied to anyonewho fails to comply with this obligation.

After February 28, wearing a mask will no longer be compulsory in closed places where the vaccination pass is required. The wearing of the mask indoors will be maintained in transport and closed places not subject to the vaccination pass.

Is the mask compulsory for skiing?

Contrary to protocol published in November 2021 and validated by the government, the wearing a mask is no longer necessary on chairlifts and ski liftson the mats that are only borrowed by one person at a time, nor when practicing alpine skiing, ski touring and Nordic skiing announced the communicated published in February by the Ministry of Tourism. In contrast :

► the Wearing a mask is compulsory for people aged 6 or over who access or stay in closed vehicles ski lifts (gondola) as well as access areas located in enclosed areas.

► wearing a mask is recommended for people over 6 years old in situations ofcrowd in the open air at the foot of the ski lifts.

Is the mask compulsory in the restaurant?

From February 28, wearing a mask will no longer be compulsory. in bars, cafes and restaurants when traveling, because these places are subject to the presentation of a vaccination or health pass.

Is the mask compulsory in the cinema?

From February 28, wearing a mask will no longer be compulsory. in cinemas, because these places are subject to the presentation of a vaccination or health pass.

Is the mask compulsory in transport?

Wearing a mask has been compulsory in public transport and in stations since May 11, 2020. This obligation is valid for all users aged 6 and over, as well as for staff in stations and in transport (train, bus, trams, metro, RER, etc.), but also in the planes of certain companies such as Air France. Failure to wear it in transport or in stations entails a fine of 135 euros. Similarly, wearing a mask is compulsory in taxis and VTCs. Access to the vehicle may be refused to people who refuse to wear a mask.

From what age is the mask compulsory?

Wearing a mask is compulsory for 6 year olds and more in transport and places open to the public since January 3, 2022. A decree was published at Official newspaper 1^er January 2022.

Mandatory mask wearing poster

To know if you need a mask to enter a place, a logo (e.g. like the one on the right) or a poster are present at the entrance to the premises concerned. A sign “Here, wearing a mask is compulsory” is made available for a download on the website of the Government and the Ministry of Solidarity and Health. Each head of establishment must put it on the front of his establishment. The latter will aim to condition access to the establishment, only to people wearing a mask. This poster has not changed since 2020 and is still in effect in 2021.

What fine if you don’t wear the mask?

Not wearing a mask in a place where it is compulsory can be sanctioned with a 4th class fine which is defined by a fixed fine of 135 euros. But the amount of the fine varies from city to city.. Its amount is indicated when the prefectural decree is published.

Sources

National protocol to ensure the health and safety of company employees in the face of the Covid-19 epidemic. Version applicable on September 1, 2021

Wearing a “general public” mask is compulsory in closed places – FAQ from the website of the Ministry of Solidarity and Health.