This past November 27, French Health Minister Olivier Véran announced the implementation of new measures to stop the fifth wave spreading in the country. Among them, the return of compulsory facemask-wearing indoors, in places open to the public, even subject to the health pass such as concert venues, theaters or even movie theaters.
Just after, Paris police prefect has decided to reinstate compulsory facemask-wearing in some outdoor places including markets, flea markets, Christmas markets, queues, gatherings in the street, or even in front of places of worship and schools.
On January 20, the defense council gathered to come up to a calendar lifting restrictions. Following these deliberations, Prime Minister Jean Castex and Health Minister Olivier Véran revealed this very schedule. Among measures lifted: the end of compulsory facemask-wearing in city centers to come into effect from February 2, 2022.
Despite still high data, the contamination toll is truly declining in the Paris area. In Île-de-France, the new daily case toll increased by 24.47% in one week, according to Sunday's report, with an average 45,663 daily cases. The same trend is noticed in the incidence rate declining by 25.47% in the same week. In the area, the Omicron variant still prevails, over 95% of cases per day. As for the Delta variant, it almost does not spread anymore in Île-de-France.
In light of the situation, the Police prefect has ordered to lift compulsory facemask-wearing outdoors in Paris from Wednesday February 2, 2022. But, he reminds that health guidelines must be complies with: keep distancing and washing your hands regularly. When social distancing is not possible, facemask-wearing is required.
