France: new health protocol for companies makes mask wearing mandatory in shared spaces

New health requirements at companies, in order to combat the Covid-19 pandemic, are in force from today, 1 September. Firms will also be allowed to “gradually” implement measures to supplement those already deployed, if necessary, following “internal social dialogue and after having informed employees”. Under the new protocol that was issued yesterday evening (Monday 31 August), the wearing of generic face masks is mandatory in “closed shred spaces” at companies. However the protocol does open the way for exemptions, provided other preventive measures are taken and depending on the level of circulation of the virus in the geographic area in question.
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The text was submitted to social partners on Monday.

Under the protocol, it is obligatory to wear a face mask in enclosed workspaces in shared places of work (i.e. not in individual offices, workshops provided there is sufficient ventilation/airing and distancing, and in outside spaces unless it is a gathering). This measure complements those that were already in place: respecting a safe distance of at least one metre between people; hand hygiene; adopting protective measures; cleaning, ventilat

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