Faced with the worrying spread of the “Delta” variant in the Alpes Maritimes department, Prefect Bernard Gonzales announced this Sunday, July 25, the implementation of new measures to combat the spread of the virus.
With an incidence rate of 407 per 100,000 inhabitants (well above the alert threshold set at 50 per 100,000 inhabitants), the health situation in the Alpes Maritimes department seems critical once again.
To reverse the situation, Bernard Gonzales, the prefect of the department, announced the return of mandatory face masks for everyone aged eleven and over in the following public spaces:
– In covered and open-air markets, flea markets, jumble sales, and open-air flea markets organized in public spaces
– On pedestrian traffic urban roads and areas where road traffic is limited to 20 km/h.
– In shopping malls and equivalent spaces in large and medium-sized stores, as well as in their parking lots.
– In town center and city center commercial areas characterized by a high concentration of the public
– During events taking place in the department
– Within a 50-meter perimeter around the entrances to nurseries, schools, colleges, and high schools, 15 minutes before and after their opening and closing;
– Within a 50-meter perimeter around the access points to artistic education institutions and higher education institutions during their opening hours;
– Within a 50-meter perimeter around the entrances of public establishments where mask-wearing is mandatory.
The return of mandatory face masks in these densely populated areas applies throughout the communes of the Alpes-Maritimes. Only public spaces deemed “natural” or “green,” such as parks and gardens, and areas along waterways (beaches, ponds, lakes…) are exempt.
People with disabilities holding a medical certificate justifying an exemption from wearing a mask, as well as those engaging in physical or sports activities, are the only individuals exempt from this obligation.
Along with the return of mandatory mask-wearing comes a ban on the consumption of alcohol and the broadcasting of amplified music in public spaces. These two prohibitions are implemented to prevent gatherings, particularly among young people heavily affected by the Delta variant.
All these measures are effective immediately and will remain in place until August 16.
