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People in Paris will have to wear face masks in crowded outdoor areas due to a surge in COVID-19 cases.
Along with the French capital, it has also become mandatory in 1,500 municipalities across the country to follow the new restrictions.
Visitors to Paris's Montmartre neighborhood, the famous Sacre-Coeur basilica and the riverbanks of the Seine must now wear face coverings.
But the restrictions do not cover the entire city and popular sites such as the Eiffel Tower and the famous Champs-Elysees shopping avenue have been left off the list.
"I think the new restriction is a good thing," says Paris resident, Delphine. "We're used to wearing one, so why not just wear it? Some places have quite a lot of people, it's good to wear it so that we don't get infected easily."
Not all outdoor areas of Paris will require face masks, such as the Champs-Elysees. /CGTN
But there was also concern over the lack of clarity when it comes to the new law.
"We don't know where we're required to wear a mask,” said Dominico, a tourist in the city. "We assume it's for the most 'touristy' places, but right here there are no signs, so it's unclear."
The country's latest figures show COVID-19 cases in Paris rose by a third in the first week of August compared with the previous seven days.
Authorities in Marseille have also brought in compulsory face masks in some outdoor areas around the port.
Other cities such as Lille, Biarritz and La Rochelle had already brought in a measure requiring people to wear a face covering in the city center.
Failure to comply with the new restrictions risks a $160 fine.
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