Self-service mask vending machines appear in France

France will gradually lift the ban on footwear nationwide on May 11, and there are increasing calls to wear masks in public places such as buses and supermarkets. The city of Nice began distributing masks to the public for free on April 24. Paris, Nantes, Toulouse, Valence and Hans have all indicated that they will follow up. Paris is the mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, who promised to distribute 2 million masks to the public when the ban is lifted. Radio France International (RFI) reported that, in addition to ordering masks from China in large quantities, the French local government mobilized large factories like Michelin tires to reform masks; at the same time, the private sector also started to make masks. The city hall in the northern French city of Lille has been transformed into a temporary mask production workshop. More than 60 volunteers sew masks in the city hall. At a press conference on April 19, Prime Minister Philip made it clear that when the ban is lifted on May 11, the Paris subway and other buses will require everyone to wear masks. Since the recommendation to wear a mask has been upgraded to a mandatory requirement, there is a problem of distribution. Before the Prime Minister introduced detailed measures to lift the ban, French media reported that only pharmacies selling masks could not meet social needs. The government will consider letting government agencies, post offices, tobacco shops or large supermarkets complete this tedious but necessary task. After Hauts-de-France started trialing mask vending machines in the urban area, some manufacturers are negotiating with large supermarkets to install vending machines for epidemic prevention supplies at the entrance of the supermarket.