The Basque coast and the Hérault are resuming the path of tightening measures to fight against the spread of the coronavirus. In a context of deteriorating health situation in these two tourist areas, wearing a mask outdoors is once again compulsory, local authorities announced on Monday.
On the Basque coast, the prefecture of Pyrénées-Atlantiques took this measure at least until August 31. The incidence rate is currently 405 positive cases for Covid-19 per 100,000 inhabitants in the Basque part of the department, against 241 in the whole of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, the alert threshold being set at 50.
The mask for over 11s
The prefecture also underlines “the high tourist frequentation of certain municipalities during the summer period and the rapid spread of the Delta variant, which is more contagious (66% of positive tests)”. It therefore took the decision to impose the wearing of masks on those over 11, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., in Anglet, Biarritz, Guéthary, Saint-Jean-de-Luz and Hendaye, i.e. most of the coastal towns. Basque, as well as in Bayonne.
In addition, in the rest of the department, wearing a mask is becoming compulsory, particularly in markets and second-hand shops, for participants in events and in queues at the entrance of establishments open to the public (cinemas, stadiums , festivals…).
In the Hérault, the mask is again in order until August 15 with the exception of six sparsely populated municipalities and beaches. The incidence rate there more than doubled in a few days and now reaches 470 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. Alcohol consumption on public roads is also prohibited on the entire Basque and Hérault coast, as well as in Bayonne.