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PARIS

Masks become compulsory again in Paris outdoor spaces

The Paris police chief has announced that face masks will once again become compulsory in certain outdoor spaces in the city.

Paris police will be enforcing the outdoor mask rules.
Paris police will be enforcing the outdoor mask rules. Photo: Ludovic Marin/AFP

The French government has reintroduced mask rules in all indoor public spaces – including venues covered by the health pass, such as cinemas and bars, which were previously exempt.

But local authorities have the power to impose extra mask rules for outdoor public spaces if they feel it is necessary, and Paris has become the most recent place to do this.

The Paris police chief Didier Lallement announced on Friday that new rules, effective immediately, require masks to be worn in the following outdoor areas;

  • All gatherings, demonstrations, meetings or organised activities in a public space
  • Outdoor festival or performance venues
  • All markets, vintage sales and flea markets (including Christmas markets)
  • In outdoor spaces of universities 
  • In outdoor spaces in front of places of worship
  • In queues

The following people are exempt from the outdoor (but not indoor) mask rules;

  • Disabled people who have a medical certificate justifying their mask exemption
  • Anyone taking place in a sporting activity in the open air e.g. joggers
  • People inside of private cars or vehicles
  • Cyclists, motorcyclists and scooter riders

In a press release, Lallement said that the new rules had been introduced in the context of “a rapid deterioration of epidemiological indicators within the city of Paris”.

He added: “The Paris incidence rate, which was between 50 and 100 cases per 100,000 people in October has increased rapidly to 266 cases per 100,000 people and the increase shows no sign of slowing.”

In addition to the new mask rules, the Préfecture strongly urged people to continue with the use of hand gel and frequent hand-washing, employing barrier gestures and respecting social distancing.

Paris police will be enforcing the new mask rules, with penalties of €135 for people not wearing a mask in designated areas.

Police will also be stepping up checks on the health pass, and checks of public establishments where the pass is required such as bars and restaurants to ensure that they are enforcing the rules.  

Paris joins at least 23 other local authorities which have already brought in extra mask rules. We have a round-up of the areas here, but as this situation is changing rapidly people are advised to check with their local préfecture to be sure of the exact rules in their area.

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PARIS

Fluffy nuisance: Outcry as Paris sends Invalides rabbits into exile

Efforts to relocate wild rabbits that are a common sight on the lawns of the historic Invalides memorial complex have provoked criticism from animal rights groups.

Fluffy nuisance: Outcry as Paris sends Invalides rabbits into exile

Tourists and Parisians have long been accustomed to the sight of wild rabbits frolicking around the lawns of Les Invalides, one of the French capital’s great landmarks.

But efforts are underway to relocate the fluffy animals, accused of damaging the gardens and drains around the giant edifice that houses Napoleon’s tomb, authorities said.

Police said that several dozen bunnies had been captured since late January and relocated to the private estate of Breau in the Seine-et-Marne region outside Paris, a move that has prompted an outcry from animal rights activists.

“Two operations have taken place since 25 January,” the police prefecture told AFP.

“Twenty-four healthy rabbits were captured on each occasion and released after vaccination” in Seine-et-Marne, the prefecture said.

Six more operations are scheduled to take place in the coming weeks.

Around 300 wild rabbits live around Les Invalides, according to estimates.

“The overpopulation on the site is leading to deteriorating living conditions and health risks,” the prefecture said.

Authorities estimate the cost of restoring the site, which has been damaged by the proliferation of underground galleries and the deterioration of gardens, pipes and flora, at €366,000.

Animal rights groups denounced the operation.

The Paris Animaux Zoopolis group said the rabbits were being subjected to “intense stress” or could be killed “under the guise of relocation”.

“A number of rabbits will die during capture and potentially during transport,” said the group, accusing authorities of being “opaque” about their methods.

The animal rights group also noted that Breau was home to the headquarters of the Seine-et-Marne hunting federation.

The police prefecture insisted that the animals would not be hunted.

In 2021, authorities classified the rabbits living in Paris as a nuisance but the order was reversed following an outcry from animal groups who have been pushing for a peaceful cohabitation with the animals.

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