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.