France Lifts Mask Mandate on Public Transport

Wearing Masks is no longer required on public transport in France, starting from today, Monday.

The decision announces the end of the last major restrictions to fight Corona in public places and confirms the decline in health and political anxiety over the epidemic, more than two years after it began spreading in Europe.

In the past weeks, Corona cases and hospitalizations declined after a very long winter wave. The epidemic was no longer at the forefront of concerns when the number of cases was high at the beginning of the year, and the health situation was rarely mentioned during the presidential campaign of Emmanuel Macron's re-election.

The government took symbolic measures in the past months, by lifting the mask in March, except on public transport, and ending the work of the health certificate that imposed the vaccine to enter many places, including restaurants and cinemas.

Some researchers warn of an excessive sense of security, noting that the epidemic is under control, but it is likely not over yet, due to a new mutated threat.

Health Minister Olivier Véran reiterated last week that the epidemic was "not over", that wearing a mask was "recommended" and that it could be made compulsory if the situation required it.