French President Emmanuel Macron said Tuesday that face masks will soon be required in public indoor spaces to curtail the coronavirus outbreak, acknowledging that infections were again on the rise.
His comments, in a television interview marking Bastille Day, came after he oversaw the traditional military ceremony that was drastically downsized because of the pandemic.
"I would like to make masks mandatory in all enclosed public spaces," Mr Macron said in the interview, a Bastille Day tradition he had shunned since taking office three years ago.
"We have indications that (the outbreak) is accelerating a bit," he added, suggesting that his government would require masks in shops and public buildings from August 1.
He later posted on Twitter that "Wearing a mask in enclosed public spaces will be mandatory in the coming weeks."
The virus reproduction rate, the "R" ratio, has again risen above one in France, he said in the interview, meaning that a person infected with COVID-19 is likely spreading the disease to at least one other person.
Mr Macron's comments come as doctors have warned of a potential second wave of infections that could again overwhelm hospitals and require new lockdowns that could further hammer the economy.
Asked whether France had enough masks in case of a new spike in cases, following massive shortages as the outbreak worsened in March, Mr Macron said: "We will be ready."
"We have secured both the stocks and the supply sources, and we are organised on the ground, to allow us to deal with an upsurge, if it comes," he said.
He also said the government's "massive" recovery plan would reach 100 billion euros, on top of more than 460 billion euros spent so far to limit the social and economic devastation from the two-month lockdown imposed in mid-March.
Priority will be placed on investments to fight climate change, he said, such as increasing freight transport by rail instead of trucks and providing subsidies for improving energy efficiency in homes and public buildings.
"I believe we can build a different country within the next 10 years," he said.
Protests
Critics have accused Mr Macron of initially underestimating and then mishandling a crisis that has now caused more than 30,000 deaths in France.
And some health workers say the government has still not done enough - two people were briefly detained after they launched balloons near the Place de la Concorde bearing a banner that said: "Behind the tributes, Macron is suffocating hospitals."
Elsewhere in Paris several thousands of people marched to demand more money and resources for careworkers.
They were later joined at the Place de la Bastille by "yellow vest" anti-government protesters, where some clashed briefly with police who fired tear gas.
Large portions of Paris remained closed Tuesday to avoid mass gatherings for the Bastille Day fireworks, and most other cities have called off their shows altogether.
Masks to be compulsory in shops in England
Face masks will be compulsory in shops and supermarkets in England from next week, in a U-turn on previous policy.
The new legislation will come into force in England on 24 July, after weeks of wrangling from ministers about their effectiveness.
"The Prime Minister has been clear that people should be wearing face coverings in shops and we will make this mandatory from July 24," Prime Minister Boris Johnson's office said.
"There is growing evidence that wearing a face-covering in an enclosed space helps protect individuals and those around them from coronavirus," it said in a statement.
People who fail to cover their face risk a fine of up to $180 with enforcement to be carried out by the police.
Mr Johnson, who spent several days battling COVID-19 in intensive care, said the measure was on Monday.
"I do think in shops it's very important to wear a face-covering if you're going to be in a confined space to protect other people and receive protection," he said.
Mr Johnson has been pictured recently wearing a blue face mask from a high-street bargain store.
But Johnson's senior cabinet colleague, Michael Gove, on Sunday appeared to rule out the compulsory wearing of face masks, saying ministers trusted people's "good sense".
A couple wearing protective face mask and gloves walk past a window shop in North London. Source: AAP
Face masks have been mandatory on public transport across the country since 15 June, and Scotland has already made the coverings compulsory for shoppers.
UK Environment Secretary George Eustice said Tuesday the government was changing its advice in accordance with developments in scientific thinking.
"The evidence, the understanding, has been evolving," he told Sky News television. "I don't think it's unreasonable to ask the public now to go to that next step."
Health Secretary Matt Hancock will outline the new policy in parliament, but there are already concerns from the police who have called it "nigh on enforceable".
"Shopkeepers need to step up to the plate and take some responsibility," said Ken Marsh, of the Metropolitan Police Federation, which represents rank-and-file officers.
"They can quite easily put signs up on their doors 'No mask on, no entry, this is private property'."
Opposition parties have also accused the government of dithering and asked why the policy is being delayed until 24 July.
Ben Bradshaw, from the Labour party, called the government's approach "a total shambles".
Britain has been one of the countries worst hit by the virus, with nearly 45,000 deaths from positive coronavirus cases, according to an official government tally.
Broader statistics taking into account suspected cases put the death toll at more than 50,000.
The government was also warned on Tuesday that a second wave of infections could see 120,000 deaths in hospitals alone in a "reasonable worst-case scenario" if no action was taken now.
The Academy of Medical Sciences said the government needed to prepare immediately to prevent the state-run National Health Service (NHS) from being overwhelmed from September.
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your state’s restrictions on gathering limits.
If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, stay home and arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
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