Mayors call for face masks to be mandatory in all public spaces

Mayors call for face masks to be mandatory in all public spaces - Mayors from major cities across France, including Paris, have called for face masks to be mandatory in all public spaces. Current guidelines specify that a face covering must be worn when social distancing cannot be guaranteed. But some officials want stricter rules. 

In Nice the mayor Christian Estrosi overstepped the state's authority, issuing a decree on 7th May making face masks compulsory in all public spaces from 8:00am to 20:00pm on "health grounds." A few days later he was forced to repeal the text after being taken to court.

Estrosi has nonetheless published a new decree making face masks compulsory and has said on Twitter that he will "do everything in his power to protect the people of Nice."

Health Minister Olivier Véran said last month "there were no plans to make face masks compulsory in all public spaces."

Currently, face masks are mandatory on public transport and in secondary schools. Stores also have the right to ask shoppers to wear masks and remain a metre (3ft) apart.