With cases on the rise again, French Health Minister Brigitte Bourguignon said she is “[asking] the French to put masks back on in transport” in an interview with RTL on Monday,
For the time being, however, she stressed it was just advice, rather than an obligation, and masks have in fact been recommended on public transport since the legal requirement to wear them was lifted in May.
However with France reporting over 50,000 daily cases of Covid-19 the government is clearly concerned by the current wave of the pandemic.
Bourguignon said that “we must protect ourselves and protect others,” adding that wearing a mask is “a civic gesture.”
She urged people to don their masks as soon as they see a crowded train or station.
READ MORE: Return of the health pass? How France plans to tackle new wave of Covid cases
In addition to public transport, Bourguignon is also asking the French to once again mask-up in “all crowded, enclosed areas.”
Currently, masks are only required in hospitals, health centres and places that have vulnerable residents such as nursing homes. They are recommended in crowded spaces where it is impossible to practice social distancing.
Chicken wire to stop mosquitoes, ridiculous. All about control, wake up people