Paris, Europe Brief News – Face masks will no longer be required on trains, planes and metros in France starting on May 16, the health minister said Wednesday.
Mask-wearing requirements are also set to be lifted in airports and on flights in Europe the same day, the EU Aviation Safety Agency said.
“From Monday, May 16, masks will no longer be mandatory for all public transport,” Health Minister Olivier Véran said after a weekly cabinet meeting on Wednesday.
“Wearing a mask remains recommended,” he added, but the rule is “no longer appropriate” given the large drop in Covid cases recently.
The announcement was also confirmed by the Minister of Social Affairs and Health Oliver Veran through a Twitter post on May 11, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.
“The health situation, which is constantly improving, allows us to lift the obligation to wear a mask in all transport, from Monday. However, it remains recommended, especially for fragile people,” he pointed out in this regard.
France began easing its strict face mask rules in February after a winter surge in cases, but for weeks they were still required at the workplace or in schools until infections declined further.
Masks as well as a health pass proving vaccination status are still required for entering hospitals, and people who test positive must still self-isolate for at least seven days.
On Tuesday, 56,449 new cases were reported over the previous 24 hours, mainly the Omicron variant, despite a concerted vaccination campaign that has seen 79.3 percent of the population receive all three required doses, according to health ministry data.
