Sharjah24 – AFP: France savoured a fresh sense of freedom Thursday as people were allowed to remove face masks when outside for the first time since last autumn and Disneyland Paris welcomed visitors after an eight-month Covid hiatus.

The easing of coronavirus rules came as authorities hailed a rapid decline in new cases on the eve of summer holidays, raising hopes for a more vibrant and relaxed tourist season.

The nationwide curfew of 11 pm will be lifted ahead of schedule on Sunday, the government announced Wednesday, reinforcing a sense that France's vaccination drive is starting to pay off.

Health Minister Olivier Veran said 60 percent of adults have now received at least one Covid jab, and youths 12 and over are now eligible as well.

- Showtime -
Mickey and Minnie Mouse led the re-opening party for hundreds of families at Disneyland Paris, Europe's biggest tourist attraction, which has been shut since October 30.

For the past weeks one of the park's conference centres has served as a mass Covid vaccination site.

As costumed park employees danced and sang, others walked through the crowds carrying reminders to keep at least one metre (three feet) from others.

Masks remain required wearing as well, even on the vast boulevards stretching between rides, and attendance has been capped for now.