Macron supports making face masks mandatory in enclosed public spaces

Update 16/07/2020 - France’s Prime Minister Jean Castex has announced that masks will be made mandatory in closed public spaces from 20 July, as the health minister, Olivier Véran, announced that Covid-19 cases are once again on the rise.

FRENCH president, Emmanuel Macron, has said he wants to see the mandatory wearing of face masks in enclosed public spaces, such as shops, to fight the coronavirus pandemic.

During a televised interview marking the fête nationale the president said that the authorities were seeing a rise in Covid-19 infections and that mask wearing, as well as hand cleaning and social distancing were key tools.

"I would like to make masks mandatory in all enclosed public spaces," Macron said in the interview, with the plan set to come into force from 1 August.

The virus reproduction rate, the "R" ratio, had again risen above one in France, Macron said, and his message came after doctors warned of a possible second wave of infections, maybe in the coming weeks.

Any second wave could increase pressure on the hospital service, but Macron said the country was ready.

"We are organised on the ground, to allow us to deal with an upsurge, if it comes," he said.