“ The prefects will now be able by decree to extend the obligation to wear a mask to open public places. This decision could be taken locally, depending on the evolution of the epidemic in each territory, ”announced Olivier Véran, Friday, July 30, ten days after the obligation to wear a mask in all enclosed places.
As of the day after the announcement of the Minister of Health, the prefect of the North delimited “ a certain number of zones ” of the European metropolis of Lille where the wearing of the mask will be obligatory, outside. Very quickly, around a hundred municipalities quickly followed.
Yet declared as “ useless ” in the streets by Jérôme Salomon, Director General of Health, the outdoor mask became “ recommended ” by the Minister of Health last Thursday during a trip to the Yvelines. " If you are on a street where there are several people going for a walk and you are not sure you can keep the distance, I recommend it."
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Fearful of a new wave, local elected officials preferred to prevent than to cure. Territory in "high vulnerability", the department of Mayenne, made the wearing of the mask compulsory in 69 of its cities from Monday, August 3, to limit the spread of the virus and to cope with the resurgence of the number of contaminations.
" In recent weeks ", " several epidemic outbreaks have been identified," alerted the prefect. Vigilance is therefore increased for the authorities who fear an outbreak of the epidemic with the arrival of Augustians and " still active circulation of the virus ". Until then, only the main cities of the department were concerned but with the new measure, 30% of the municipalities and 70% of the Mayenne population will have to wear a mask outdoors.
Read also: In Mayenne, the Covid-19 virus is still circulating
Town centers, markets or tourist areas concerned
Biarritz, Bayonne, Saint-Malo, Le Touquet, Perros-Guirec (Côtes-d'Armor) have also made their town centers and tourist areas only passable by masked pedestrians. A measure " necessary to protect summer visitors and Biarritz", justified Maider Arosteguy, mayor of Biarritz. “ The number of visitors in July was very strong and we fear that August will be even more difficult to manage in the face of the health crisis. "
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For his part, the mayor of Tours, Emmanuel Denis, however skeptical a few days earlier, changed his mind on August 2 by making the mask compulsory in the " hypocenter " of the city. Decision taken and extended to the banks of the Loire to prevent " the situation from worsening " and "to stop this progression", according to the prefect of Indre-et-Loire, questioned by the New Republic.
In Nice, only the busiest streets are subject to this restriction. The town hall has also set up loudspeakers to remind Niçois and tourists of the importance of respecting social distancing and the ban on consuming alcohol on the banks of the beaches.
Other city officials have chosen to limit restrictive measures to a few hours of the day. Like the Sables d'Olonne beaches which are closed at high tide, the cobblestones in Orléans can only be walked on by masked walkers from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Outdoor markets are also in the sights of elected officials. Allowed to reopen on May 11, many are once again subject to strict health measures including the wearing of masks. In Blanquefort, Caen, Cannes, Carpentras, Lorient, walkers will be able to buy fruits and vegetables provided they are masked in order to limit the spread of the epidemic.
Sustained circulation of the epidemic
The holidays accompanied by summer temperatures encourage the French to decrease their caution but " the circulation of the virus remains sustained, " said Friday, July 31, the Directorate General of Health in its weekly report.
Read also: Philippe Juvin: "The lessons to be learned to prepare for a possible second wave"
The day before, the health agency Public Health France also noted an increase in new cases of 54% compared to the previous week, " particularly among 20-30 years ". Scientists therefore remain very vigilant and closely monitor the figures that may indicate a resumption of the epidemic. The authorities call on the French to show responsibility by ensuring barrier gestures, the only ones capable for the moment of facing up to the virus.
To read also: Gestures barriers, distancing: the French put down the masks
