France to lift face mask rule, curfew

Paris, Jun 16 (EFE).- France will end the mandatory use of face masks outdoors and lift the nightly curfew earlier than planned,, prime minister Jean Castex announced Wednesday.

“Wearing a mask will no longer be compulsory, except in certain circumstances. Prefectoral decrees will be modified tomorrow,” he said.

The decision to end the obligatory use of face masks comes ahead of schedule thanks to an encouraging decrease of Covid-19 cases in France.

“Hospital pressure has finally fallen. This is a particularly positive development, it will allow our carers to take a breath,” Castex said.

The curfew, which has been in place since mid-December, will be lifted on June 19, instead of June 30 as originally planned. EFE

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