France is to drop mandatory mask wearing in enclosed public spaces where the vaccine pass is required from February 28. Public transportation is not included in this change, and mask-wearing will remain mandatory there.
This will mean that it will no longer be necessary to wear a mask in places such as restaurants, cafes, bars, cinemas, theatres, museums, etc.
This will also be the case in large department stores (over 20,000m²) that require a vaccine pass to enter. Local authorities decide whether department stores are subject to vaccine pass rules.
The new rule scrapping masks will not apply to supermarkets or shops, as vaccine passes are not required to enter there.
Masks will still be required on public transport, including TGVs, the metro, domestic flights, etc.
The change was announced today by the Ministry of Health, who said it has been made possible by the improvement in the health situation.
Read more: Coronavirus: Daily updates on the situation in France
France first introduced mandatory mask-wearing in enclosed public spaces in July 2020.
They have been required ever since.
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