Health minister Olivier Véran announced on Wednesday that the state would begin distributing the free washable fabric face masks to 7 million of the poorest people in the country.
It comes after criticism that the new rules on compulsory mask-wearing in indoor public spaces placed an extra cost burden on the poorest families.
READ ALSO IN DETAIL When and where do you have to wear a mask in France?
Health minister Olivier Véran says the masks will be posted out. Photo: AFP
Many local mairies distributed free washable fabric masks back in May when France began loosening its lockdown, but the new state initiative focuses specifically on people living in poverty or precarious situations.
The masks will be posted out to seven million people who are in receipt of complémentaire santé solidaire, the complementary top-up health insurance that people living on low incomes are entitled to.
Véran said: “It is obvious that France will not leave people unable to wear masks.
#masquesObligatoires : c’est un budget, jusqu’à 228 euros par mois pour une famille >> https://t.co/fFHm3tdBmc pic.twitter.com/3BR67B3nri
— Le Parisien Infog (@LeParisienInfog) July 20, 2020
Member comments