After criticism of a long period of time: France mask a obligation earlier than planned

France is a leads from the beginning of next week to a General protection mask, the duty should apply in all public enclosed spaces. Prime Minister Jean Castex, announced on Thursday in the Senate, that a corresponding government decree was signed. First of all, the government had the protective mask is compulsory for only the 1. August want to impose.

Michaela Wiegel

Political correspondent, based in Paris.

"I have come to understand that the period appeared to be long and questions caused. Therefore, the decree will enter into force in a week,“ said Castex. Doctors ' associations were furious that the government let two weeks time with the mask of duty, the contagion chains but much faster than the bureaucratic procedures.

health Minister Olivier Véran warned on the Thursday before "first signs" a new intensification of the Infection process from both the Paris hospitals. The as a social focal point well-known Département of Seine-Saint-Denis to the large Charles de Gaulle airport recorded a rise in infections. Particularly concerned is the government about the situation in the Département of Mayenne, which was classified on Thursday as a high-risk area. 50.1 infection on 100.000 inhabitants, the "alarm hurdle" of more than 50 infection cases was cases, for the first time since the end of the strict lock downs exceeded.

The area in the Loire Region, bordering on Brittany, and remained during the first epidemic wave largely spared. As a Cluster of two slaughterhouses have been identified, a nursing home, a school, and a social emergency centre and a residential home for needy workers. In the Department of a wide-scale Test campaign has been started.

mask obligatory only in public transport

The French President who sees a mask duty long opposed, in the Wearing of the mouth-and-nose masks, in the meantime, an important means to curb the epidemic. "I recommend to all our fellow citizens to listen to, to wear the mask as often as possible, if you are Outdoors, and even more if you are in a confined space," said Macron on the national holiday.