FRANCE. Masks mandatory beginning July 20

French authorities have announced that the wearing of face masks in indoor public spaces will be compulsory throughout the country from Monday, July 20th The virus has especially hit Mayenne, a commune in the Pays de la Loire region to the northeast. As from Monday, masks will have to be worn in all shops, indoor markets, banks, museums and monuments, indoor car parks, hotel lobbies, train stations, and university amphitheaters.

The issue of wearing masks in shops had been a bone of contention.

Until now it was up to individual businesses to decide on whether or not to require customers to wear a mask on entering.

From Monday all customers will have to wear masks in all shops, whatever their size.