France lifts Covid rules on unvaccinated and mask wearing

Police officers patrol on the empty Trocadero square in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris on March 17 2020 (Francois Mori/AP)

France has lifted most Covid-19 restrictions, abolishing the need to wear face masks in most settings and allowing people who are not vaccinated back into restaurants, sports arenas and other venues.

The move had been announced earlier this month by the French government based on assessments of the improving situation in hospitals and following weeks of a steady decline in infections.