Mask use ordered in Paris with 1 in 5 French regions in virus ‘red zone’

Wearing face masks will be mandatory in about 20 percent of France’s regions, labeled as coronavirus “red zones,” while the government attempts to reopen schools and restart the economy.

French Prime Minister Jean Castex showcased a map Thursday of the regions for potential virus flair-ups, urging local authorities to impose new measures to curb the virus’s spread and prevent another significant lockdown, The Associated Press reported.

“The epidemic is gaining ground, and now we must intervene,” Castex said. France “must do everything to avoid a new confinement.”

Paris and Marseille will require everyone to wear masks when in public, as the cities are now reporting 50 positive tests per 100,000 people.

The government said Thursday that 21 of 101 administrative regions are included in the red zones, which allows municipalities to impose stricter measures.

The move comes as France prepares to kick off the Tour de France cycling race Saturday.

The country’s daily cases were descending earlier this summer but surged past 5,000 Wednesday, marking the first time since May.

Hospital admissions for the virus remain relatively low but have steadily increased in recent days.

Castex’s message Thursday raised the alarm about the growing virus cases, but also suggested a new national mantra, “living with the virus,” as he urges people to resume their jobs and children to return to school.

He added that vulnerable populations, such as older generations, should still exercise extreme caution during the pandemic season to avoid contracting the potentially life-threatening virus.

Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer said, “All children should return to school,” adding there would be no reason to pull back plans to send the country’s 12.9 million students back to class beginning next week.

According to Johns Hopkins University data, France has recorded a total of 291,374 cases of COVID-19 and 30,549 total fatalities.