Toulouse has become the first French city to declare face masks compulsory outdoors, in a bid to halt the quickening spread of the coronavirus, AFP reports.

Toulouse is France's fourth largest city and officials there fear that a mass movement of people as the summer break draws to a close will lead to a spike in infections.

Face masks are already compulsory on public transport in France and indoors in public places.

Additionally, many French towns and cities, including Paris and Toulouse, have used discretionary powers to make masks obligatory in certain areas — often busy streets, near tourist hotspots and at outdoor food markets.