The French government on Wednesday announced that from May 16th the wearing of mask in public transport will no longer be compulsory following the reduction in the number of recorded positive COVID-19 cases in the country.
The decision to lift the wearing of mask in transport came at the end of the Council of Ministers meeting on Wednesday, where the Minister of Health Olivier Véran made the announcement, AFP reports.
Minister of Health Olivier Véran announcing the suspension, said:
“The epidemic situation is improving, the pandemic is not over, but the number of new diagnoses on a daily basis is decreasing and we consider that it is no longer appropriate to maintain this obligation to wear a mask in public transport, at from Monday, May 16″, announces Olivier Véran, added that this is to follow a recommendation from the ECDC, the European organization for the fight against communicable diseases.
Since March 14, the French were no longer obliged to wear a mask indoors, with the exception of transport and health establishments, such as hospitals, nursing homes or even pharmacies. “This measure, as well as the obligation to present a vaccination pass in hospitals and nursing homes, remains in force “until at least this summer”, details the Minister of Health.
The virus is circulating less, according to Public Health France
Over the past two weeks, Public Health France has confirmed a decrease in the circulation of the virus and hospitalizations.
However, if the epidemic seems under control for the moment, it is not “over”, warn the scientists.
In addition, the vaccination obligation for caregivers also remains in force, as in the majority of countries which have introduced it, declares the Minister of Health.
This health situation in “very clear improvement, will give rise to adaptations in the coming weeks” of the measures in force, had underlined the Head of State Emmanuel Macron from May 4, during the Council of Ministers.
(AFP)