|
 President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday mask-wearing would be
mandatory in places such as shops from Aug. 1 because of signs the
new coronavirus was "coming back a bit".
But Prime Minister Jean Castex said on Thursday the order would take
effect next week. Until now, it has been mandatory to wear face
coverings outdoors only on public transport and in public spaces
where social distancing is not possible.
"We were considering implementing (this measure) on August 1
because, once again, we are acting preventively and not as a matter
of emergency", Castex told the Senate.
"I have heard and understood that this deadline appeared late or
raised some questions, so the decree will come into force next
week."
Some politicians and doctors had called on the government not to
wait until early August because of concerns about the pandemic.
Official figures show the number of COVID-19 infections and
fatalities has slowed in France since late May, but the novel
coronavirus has killed more than 30,000 people in the country and is
spreading again in some areas.
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The Mayenne prefecture in northwestern France said the wearing of face masks was
now compulsory in its main city, Laval, and five other municipalities -
Bonchamp-lès-Laval, Changé, L’Huisserie, Louverné and Saint-Berthevin.
"In Mayenne, the situation is problematic today", French health minister Olivier
Veran told France Inter radio.
Macron also said on Tuesday that he wanted COVID-19 testing available for
everyone, without having to be referred by a doctor, and said expected job
losses because of the pandemic posed a major challenge.
(Reporting by Matthieu Protard, Claude Chendjou and Blandine Henault; Editing by
Andrew Heavens and Timothy Heritage)
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