Are face masks still mandatory on all French public transport?
France’s mask-wearing rules were relaxed recently, but remain in place within spaces where barrier gestures cannot be maintained
Masks remain obligatory in all French public transports
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Reader Question: Could you provide some more information on which transport face masks are still mandatory in France? We are struggling to keep up!
France relaxed its Covid restrictions on March 14, removing mask-wearing requirements from almost all indoor spaces save medical or care settings and all public transports.
Masks must still be worn by people aged six or over in:
- Buses
- School buses
- Trams
- Métros
- Taxis
- Coaches
- Boats/ferries
- TER trains
- TGV trains
- Private transportation services
- Cars where a driving lesson is taking place
- Planes, unless the airline has removed the requirement, as is the case with Jet2 for example
Read more:Do I still need to wear a mask on a flight between the UK and France?
Masks also remain obligatory in spaces reserved for transport ticket-holders such as train platforms.
This is because: “In public transport, ventilation and social distancing remain difficult, especially at busy times,” the French health ministry’s Direction générale de la santé has said.
“When other barrier gestures cannot be respected, as is the case in transports, masks allow us to limit infections as much as possible.”
Health Minister Olivier Véran has also said that the measure will remain in place for “a few weeks yet.”
It should be noted, however, that vaccine passes are no longer obligatory on the long-distance transports where they were previously required.
Those who do not wear a mask when required could face a €135 fine.
You can find out more about mask-wearing rules on the French government website.
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