France’s Face Mask Law is Official as New Covid-19 Cases Spike

PARIS, KOMPAS.com – France’s face mask law has become official thus effective Monday, shoppers are required by law to wear a mask.

The enforcement of wearing a face mask also applies to Parisian bakeries such as the one where Kalil Gaci works at. His customers are embracing France’s face mask law.

"There's no problem in wearing one, I'm completely for it," said Elina Outh, a 22-year-old business student who called in to buy some of Gaci's pastries.

"What's happening makes sense and I think it should have happened a long time ago," Elina continued.

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Government mandates about wearing face masks have sparked a heated debate in the United States and elsewhere about civil liberties.

This has happened despite the mandate being enforced to curb the transmission of the Covid-19 virus.

However, in France, the majority of its citizens accept that face masks are important to mitigate the coronavirus pandemic.

France’s face mask law requires face coverings in shops, banks, covered markets or any other enclosed public space. Anyone violating the rule is liable to pay a €135 ($155) fine.

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Ministers accelerated the rule change because, even though the disease has abated nationwide, there have been localized flare-ups that sparked fears of a second wave.

More than 30,000 deaths in France have been linked to Covid-19.

At the covered market at La Baule-Escoublac, a resort on France's Atlantic coast, a sign was displayed reading: "Stop Coronavirus. The wearing of a mask is mandatory."

A fishmonger at the market, who gave his name as Gregory, said shoppers had been complying.

"Since lockdown, people in La Baule were used to almost always wearing a mask, so people are respecting the rules," he said.