RTL Today - Public transport: Masks no longer compulsory in France, but remain so in Luxembourg

As of 16 May, masks are no longer compulsory on public transport in France, but the regulation remains in place in Luxembourg, which means commuters still have to cover their faces when crossing the border.

Compulsory masks on public transport were the last significant Covid restriction affecting daily life in France. As of Monday 16 May, commuters no longer have to wear a face mask on buses, trains, planes, taxis, and underground railway.

However, this is not yet the case in Luxembourg, where the law still requires users of public transport to wear a mask. This also still applies to foreign commuters, meaning that French travellers have to put on a mask when crossing the Grand Duchy's border by public transport.

"Every state is in charge of its own territory. The French government has decided that masks no longer need to be mandatory, while both Germany and Luxembourg chose to maintain their respective laws. That means that after crossing the border, people still have to put on a mask", commented a spokesperson for SNCF, the French national state-owned railway company.

SNCF will remind their passengers about the need to wear a mask with on-board announcements. Tom Ewert, head of communications at Luxembourg's railway company CFL, acknowledged that passengers may find it incoherent, but ensured that there will be no additional checks.

Ewert noted: "When our staff members see a passenger without a mask, they issue a friendly reminder, which most often resolves the issue. It is a question of respect. Once back outside on the platform, people are free to take off their masks."

Even though no longer compulsory, masks remain recommended in France. Further Covid restrictions include the sanitary pass, meaning being vaccinated or recently tested, to access medical centres and hospitals. The same rule also still applies in the Grand Duchy.