France ‘considering’ tightening rules over wearing face masks

They are already requirement on public transport

France is considering expanding rules over when people should wear face masks, according to the country's new prime minister.

Jean Castex, who took on the role in early July, said the main focus was on indoor spaces.

"The issue of widening the use and wearing of masks is under a lot of consideration," he told reporters in French Guiana over the weekend.

"In particular, that would concern as a matter of priority all places - whatever they are - which are enclosed."

France's health secretary, Olivier Veran, later said the issue was "on the table".

People must wear face masks on public transport in France. A bus driver in Bayonne died last week after he reportedly asked passengers to wear masks and see their tickets.

French rules say workers also have to wear face coverings where social-distancing is not possible, and older pupils must wear them at school.

However, it is up to a shop owner whether or not to make masks a requirement.

The French PM said a change is policy was being considered after a group of doctors called for face masks to become mandatory for shoppers.

They said wearing masks was "an important condition for limiting the spread of the virus" in an article in Le Parisien-Aujourd’hui.

The group of 14 doctors said it would be "very unfortunate" to not use "effective and accessible means", including mandatory face masks in all enclosed public spaces and social distancing where possible, in the fight against Covid-19.

The British PM hinted last week that face coverings could become a requirement for shoppers in England, where they are also required on public transport.

"We need to be stricter about insisting people wear face coverings in confined places where they are meeting people they don’t normally meet," Boris Johnson said.

In France, Nice's mayor made face masks compulsory for all events in the city over the weekend, after a video spread of outdoor DJ set where crowds of people did not wear masks or keep their distance from each other.

Across the country, more than 200,000 people have tested positive for coronavirus virus as of Monday, according to a Reuters global count.

Meanwhile, the death toll stood at just above 30,000.

Additional reporting by Associated Press