- Masks will be mandatory from Friday for all pedestrians and cyclists in Paris.
- On Wednesday, France reported 5,429 new daily infections, a level not seen since April.
- “The spread of the epidemic could become exponential if we do not respond quickly,” said French Prime Minister Jean Castex.
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On Thursday, French Prime Minister Jean Castex urged local authorities to impose new restrictions to increase coronavirus cases in France, including a mandatory mask mandate for all Parisians.
The virus circulates in almost 20% of France’s regions, with the number of “red zones” rising from two to 21, BBC News reported. If categorized as a red zone, local authorities may impose additional restrictions if necessary.
Beginning on Friday morning, all pedestrians in the city and its inner ring suburbs will be required to wear face masks when in public areas. The mask mandate has also been extended to all cyclists and people on motorcycles and scooters.
“The deterioration of the health situation … has led the prefect to take this strong measure in the interest of the population,” the prefect of Paris said in a statement.
The mandatory mask requirements for Paris, one of the 21 red zones, follow one for Marseilles, the third largest city in France. Marseilles, which has been classified as a red zone for several days, also set up an exit for all bars and restaurants on Wednesday night to limit the spread of the virus.
“The spread of the epidemic could become exponential if we do not respond quickly,” Castex said, adding that there was an “undisputed recurrence of the epidemic.”
About 300,000 cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in France since February, with more than 30,000 killed by the virus.
France reported 5,429 new daily infections on Wednesday, a level not seen since shots were fired in April, Reuters reported.
Despite the rise in cases of the virus, schools across the country are opening up for personal instruction.
In his statement, Castex said infections in young people strangled and told grandparents not to pick up their grandchildren from school. He said the country “had to do everything” to get people back to school and work.
Labs in France currently test 830,000 people every week and aim to reach 1 million tests by September, when schools reopen, Castex said.
