The world’s largest nudist resort is now going to have to relook its no-rules rule about a piece of clothing- masks. You may be used to not binding yourself in regular clothes at Cap d’Agde Naturist Village in southern France but even when the rest of your body remains ‘au naturel’, your face has got to be shielded with a mask! COVID-19 outbreak has struck this world’s largest nudist resort, with close to 150 people testing positive to the virus. This beachside village for naturists welcomes about 35,000 visitors every summer. Health authorities say 95 people staying at Cap d’Agde Naturist Village were found to have Covid-19, while a further 50 who went through the resort also tested positive on their return home. Of the first few rounds of testing that involved as many as 490 people, 95 were infected with Covid-19 and another 310 results are currently being analyzed. Cap d’Agde Naturist Village in southern France is also known as ‘Naked City’, a place where nudity is mandatory, even for those not staying at the resort; that stands true for all surroundings and not just the beach. People are free to be naked wherever they want including restaurants, stores, post offices, banks, sailing boats and of course on the long public beaches.
While authorities have taken no objection to anything else during the coronavirus pandemic they have received complaints of spotting maskless naturists basking in warm weather in large groups. The health authority’s director general, Pierre Ricordeau, said social distancing had probably not been sufficiently respected at the centre. “There are infections everywhere, including among people who are not libertines. The message is the same for everyone: wear a mask, wash your hands and practice social distancing, whether you are a libertine or not a libertine”. He also asked anyone planning to go to the village to delay their travel plans. Even if you do intend to hit the beaches remember to forget your float but not your mask!
[Vi: Traveller]
