-
Good news for Occitanie residents as ‘in demand’ flight route to run all year
Domestic flight will connect Perpignan and Lille twice per week
-
French weekend weather forecast June 28 - 29: ‘historic’ heatwave begins in south
Temperatures close to 40C are expected as 13 departments set for heightened heatwave alerts on Saturday
-
Radio France strike begins: TV network affected from next week
Workers are protesting at plans to combine the two entities and other cost-cutting measures
Masks no longer mandatory outside in France: where must they be worn?
We outline the various indoor – and some outdoor – settings where they are still required

France’s Covid restrictions are easing slightly today (February 2), and people are no longer required to wear masks in town centres, although prefectures may decide to impose their own rules.
Read more: Some Covid rules ease today in France, intensive care numbers stable
Everyone is also strongly advised to keep wearing a mask in outdoor settings where social distancing is not possible, such as markets, crowds, demonstrations or concerts.
Mask-wearing remains mandatory, however, in various public settings for people over the age of six.
These places include:
-
Workplaces
-
Large shops and shopping centres of over 20,000 square metres, based on a decision by the departmental prefecture
-
Other enclosed spaces open to the public
-
Entertainment and leisure venues such as theatres, cinemas or stadiums
-
Restaurants and bars including in outdoor terrasses. This is only required when moving about and not when sitting down
-
Ski liftsand in ski lift queues, although masks are not required on the pistes themselves
-
Public transport, whether that be trains, métros, trams or planes
-
Schools, where staff and children over six must wear a mask both in their classrooms and in the playground
In addition to restrictions regarding mask-wearing, rules requiring people to work from home at least three days a week if possible have also been relaxed today, although workers are still encouraged to do so if they can.
The capacity limit at sports and cultural events has also been lifted for seated audiences, although masks must be worn in these settings. Crowd limits had previously been set at 2,000 people indoors and 5,000 people outdoors
Related stories
Boosters, UK travel, masks: February dates for Covid changes in France