Wearing masks outdoors is now mandatory due to the variant’s record spread across France
France leads Europe with the Omicron type of coronavirus cases. Authorities have asked Parisians for masks to be worn outdoors beginning Friday.
Following a Wednesday record number of new infections in France, it was decided to reintroduce the requirement for public wearing masks. This decision had been made in August 2020 in Paris.
Health Minister Olivier Véran said two people in France were testing positive for Covid-19 every second, putting hospitals under serious pressure. “I wouldn’t call Omicron a wave anymore. I would call it a tidal wave,”He spoke out clearly.
Everyone aged 11 or over must wear masks whenever they are out in public, starting on December 31st. Only cyclists, those in vehicles and athletes will be exempted from the requirement.
Jean Castex, the Prime Minister, stated earlier this week that all employees able to work from home at least 3 days per week starting in January would be required. Firms that violated the rules will be punished with fines of up to €50,000 ($56,600), the government warned.
In addition, outside gatherings will be limited to 5,000 mask-wearing people, although it’s not yet clear if that restriction will apply to campaign events ahead of April’s presidential election.
France announced that, despite rising numbers of cases, citizens could now get a booster shot with a coronavirus vaccination just three months after their last immunization.
Over 9.3 Million people in the country have been infected by Covid-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. More than 121,000 have also succumbed to the disease.
[ad_2]
