PARIS — France has lifted the requirement to wear a face mask outdoors in public and will stop its nighttime curfews earlier than planned.

The changes were announced by Prime Minister Jean Castex on Wednesday.

The face mask rule will be lifted on Thursday, while the nighttime curfew will end on Sunday, ten days earlier than planned.

France is registering about 3,900 new daily virus cases on average, down from 35,000 in the March-April peak.

Over 58 percent of France’s adult population has received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose.

On Tuesday, the European Union nation opened its vaccination programs to 12 to 18-year-olds as part of a push to protect the nation as restrictions are gradually being lifted. — Euronews