MANDATORY MASK. This Wednesday, Olivier Véran hinted that the mask would most likely be abandoned by mid-March in businesses, schools and public transport, if the health situation continued to improve.
Soon no more indoor masks? This is what the Minister of Health and Solidarity, Olivier Véran, hoped for on the set of France Info this Wednesday, February 16. At the microphone of the continuous news channel, he notably indicated that, from “mid-March”, “we could begin to seriously ask ourselves the question of wearing a mask indoors”, “in transport in common and in companies” for example. “Nothing will then prevent us from making the same decision” for children in schools, he added. Provided, of course, that the health situation continues on its way – according to the minister, the number of contaminations in Covid-19 is “three times less important than two weeks ago”. The French hospital must in particular have returned to a “normal operating state”, underlined Olivier Véran.
This new date in the calendar for the gradual lifting of health restriction measures completes that of February 28, when the mask will no longer be required to carry out a certain number of activities, subject to the presentation of the vaccination pass. Thus, at the end of February, you will be able to go without a mask (but with your pass) to bars, restaurants or even places of culture. On this same date, elementary school students and teaching staff will be able to remove the mask outside.
In a press release dated February 11, 2022, the Ministry of Health indicated that “in other closed places, subject to the vaccination pass, wearing a mask will no longer be compulsory”, from February 28. These are:
- theaters
- theme parks
- concert halls
- festivals
- sports halls
- sports speakers
- game rooms
- libraries
- documentation centers
- cinemas
- bars
- restaurants
- fairs
- trade shows
- professional seminars if they take place outside the company and bring together more than 50 people;
- ski lifts in ski resorts
- access to tourist accommodation such as campsites or holiday clubs with a single check at the start of the stay.
According to the latest rules in force, wearing a mask is compulsory indoors for all individuals over the age of 11. Children over the age of 6 will also have to wear it to school. From February 28, wearing a mask will no longer be an obligation in closed places, access to which is subject to presentation of the vaccination pass. Until then, all these places are concerned by the obligation:
- Transport. Bus and ferry stations as well as airports.
- Schools, holiday centers and leisure centres. The wearing of a compulsory mask concerns early learning, teaching and training establishments; holiday centres; leisure centers without accommodation for adult teachers and supervisors. Children over 6 years old (from primary school) must also wear it.
- Shops. Sales outlets, shopping centers and covered markets are affected by the wearing of compulsory masks.
- In company
Companies are subject to wearing a mandatory mask via a health protocol defined by the Ministry of Labor. This document indicates that “following the update of scientific knowledge on the transmission of the virus by aerosols and taking into account the recommendations of the HCSP dated August 28, 2020 and January 14, 18 and 20, 2021, the wearing of a mask is systematic within companies in closed collective places. It is either a “general public filtration greater than 90%” mask (corresponding to the so-called “category 1″ mask), or a surgical type mask”. Exceptions are provided for, such as in individual offices, well-ventilated workshops or when the work is carried out outdoors.
At school, masks once again became a compulsory accessory everywhere in France on November 15, 2021. Since that date, children have been forced to wear a mask from the age of 6, i.e. from primary school. For parents, teachers and adult supervisors, it is also compulsory within the establishment, both indoors and outdoors. After almost four months of obligation, students as well as teachers and supervising staff will be able, from February 28, to remove the masks outdoors. Wearing a mask will also no longer be necessary when practicing indoor physical activities as long as social distancing is respected.
The announcement is part of the new health protocol at school gradually lightened from the start of the February holidays, i.e. February 21 for zone B (Aix-Marseille, Amiens, Caen, Lille, Nancy-Metz, Nantes, Nice , Orleans-Tours, Reims, Rennes, Rouen and Strasbourg).
The mask is no longer a mandatory outdoor accessory since February 2 and the first wave of lifting of restrictions. It is no longer compulsory but it remains recommended and the government is appealing to the logic of the French to reconnect with the wearing of a mask in very busy places.
Schools are the only places in which wearing a mask is always compulsory outdoors, such as in playgrounds or outdoor sports arenas. For students and teachers, the end date of the obligation is set for February 28 in accordance with the reductions in the health protocol set out this Friday, February 11, 2022.
The fine in force in the event of non-compliance with the wearing of the compulsory mask should remain at 135 euros. “Failure to comply with this measure could be liable, as is the case in other places where wearing a mask is compulsory, in particular transport, to a 4th class fine” defined by a fixed fine of 135 euros , had specified the general directorate of health as soon as this measure was put in place last year. In case of recidivism, the amount can go up to 1500 euros.