French authorities have said that face masks will again be required in all public spaces indoors and out in a southern region bordering Spain, after Covid infections soared this week because of the more infectious Delta variant.

However, the masks will not be required on beaches or in wide open spaces such as mountain trails, AFP quotes the regional authorities as saying in a statement.

“More measures could be announced depending on the evolution of health indications and pressure on the hospital system,” the prefecture said.

France is hoping to avoid a fourth wave of Covid-19 cases that could overwhelm hospitals and again lead to painful lockdowns or other restrictions.

Opinion

Editorial

Holding the line
16 Mar, 2026

Holding the line

PAKISTAN’S long battle against polio has recently produced encouraging signs. Data from the national eradication...
Power self-reliance
Updated 16 Mar, 2026

Power self-reliance

PAKISTAN’S transition to domestic sources of electricity is a welcome development for a country that has long been...
Looking for safety
16 Mar, 2026

Looking for safety

AS the Middle East conflict enters its third week, the war’s most enduring victims are not those who wage it....
Battling hate
Updated 15 Mar, 2026

Battling hate

In the current scenario, geopolitical conflict, racial prejudice and religious bigotry all contribute to the threats Muslims face.
TB drugs shortage
15 Mar, 2026

TB drugs shortage

‘CRIMINAL negligence’ is the phrase that jumps to mind when one considers the disturbing consequences of the...
Chinese diplomacy
Updated 14 Mar, 2026

Chinese diplomacy

THERE are signs that China is taking a more active role in trying to resolve the issue of cross-border terrorism...