MANDATORY MASK. In schools, the obligation to wear a mask outdoors will end on February 28. On the same date, the masks will be able to fall in closed places subject to the vaccination pass according to government announcements on February 11.
Repealed outdoors since February 2, the wearing of a compulsory mask is still required in school classes. Students and teachers will in turn be able to drop the mask outdoors from February 28, 2022. The measure is permitted by theeasing of the health protocol in schools announced this Friday, February 11 by the Minister of National Education. The new, more flexible rules were decided with the unions at a meeting on February 8 and are a sign that “the hardest part is behind us”. On the question of wearing a mask, the new protocol also provides for the resumption of indoor physical activities without the obligation to wear a mask provided that physical distance is respected.
The news on the wearing of masks in schools comes in tandem with a surprise announcement from the government: the end of the wearing of compulsory masks in closed places subject to the vaccination pass from February 28. Faces will finally be able to be discovered in restaurants, cinemas, performance halls, sports arenas and other places accessible only on presentation of the pass. the communicated published this Friday, February 11, however, specifies that “the wearing of the mask indoors will be maintained in transport and closed places not subject to the vaccination pass.” This step forward goes in the direction of the gradual lifting of restrictions and perhaps in that of the possible lifting of the vaccination pass around “end of March-beginning of April”. The hypothesis recently evoked by the members of the government, was again recalled Gabriel Attal this morning on Europe 1.
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:
- Indoor sports halls and sports establishments.
- Cinemas, museums, libraries, performance halls, game rooms; museums ; libraries and documentation centers; outdoor establishments.
- Hotels, campsites, chalets. Mountain refuges and high-altitude hotels are also concerned.
- 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.
- Bars, cafes and restaurants. Customers can remove it only when they are seated at their table.
- Hearing and conference rooms. Hearing, conference and meeting rooms are affected by the wearing of a mandatory mask.
- Places of worship. The mask should be compulsory in churches, mosques, synagogues.
- Capitals, tents, buildings.
- Banks and administrations. The obligation also concerns administrations and banks.
- Shops. Sales outlets, shopping centers and covered markets are affected by the wearing of compulsory masks.
Companies are subject to wearing a mandatory mask via a health protocol defined by the Ministry of Labor. This document indicates that “following the updating 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, 20214, wearing 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.