Masks were already mandatory on public transport, but from Monday they must also be worn in places like shops.

Health Minister Oliver Véran warned that France had between "400 and 500 active clusters" of the virus.

President Emmanuel Macron declared a "first victory" over the virus in June and has ended the national state of emergency, but local outbreaks remain.

There are a rising number of cases in the north-west and in eastern regions, in particular in the north-western department of Mayenne.

France, one of Europe's hardest-hit countries, has recorded more than 200,000 infections and over 30,000 deaths since the start of the pandemic.

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